Shorts: South Africa’s data-centre plans face questions over water and power

A new wave of data-centre investment is raising questions about water, electricity and local development in South Africa. This Africanews Short introduces concerns from campaigners who want clearer rules before the sector expands further.

The accompanying report also includes the industry’s response. Equinix says its facilities use dry cooling to minimise water consumption, and that any future project would follow the relevant process. The argument is therefore about how developments are assessed and regulated, as well as the resources they may use.

Watch the Short for the central issue and use the source report for the fuller range of responses. The concerns described by activists should be distinguished from an established finding about the impact of any particular proposed facility.

Original video: africanews on YouTube. Publisher’s accompanying report. Video and thumbnail belong to the original publisher. Montage Africa provides the selection and written context.