Environmental advocacy groups have filed formal opposition against plans by US-listed Equinix to construct two data centers in Cape Town, South Africa, citing inadequate disclosure of environmental and resource impacts.
The Housing Assembly, representing over 20 communities in South Africa’s Western Cape region, along with UK-based non-profit Foxglove, submitted the challenge to city planning officials. The groups argue that approval cannot proceed without essential information needed to properly evaluate the project’s effects.
This opposition reflects growing resistance from local communities as technology companies expand computing infrastructure worldwide, with residents expressing concerns about increased utility costs, water strain, noise levels, and environmental pollution.
“There is simply not enough information for a decision on a project of this scale, with no substantive detail on water use, emissions, electricity demand, diesel generators, air pollution, noise or even the buildings themselves,” stated Rosa Curling, co-executive director at Foxglove.
The proposed development would include two major data facilities with combined electrical requirements reaching 160 megawatts, though specifics about backup power systems remain unclear, according to planning documents.
Water consumption represents a particularly critical concern given Cape Town’s history of water shortages, Curling noted. The city experienced a devastating drought from 2017-2018, known as the ‘Day Zero’ crisis, forcing authorities to shut off most residential water supplies when reservoir levels dropped to dangerous levels.
“There seems to be this rush to develop data centres without people properly thinking through what the impact will be,” commented Saadiyah Kwada, an attorney with the Legal Resources Centre in Cape Town.
Equinix, which currently operates a facility in Johannesburg using completely renewable energy according to company information, declined to provide comment regarding the formal objection.
King David Golf Club, which owns the King Air Industrial development site designated for the data centers, and Equinix have 30 days to submit responses, followed by a 180-day decision period for city officials.
The development company declined comment, while Cape Town city officials did not respond to media inquiries.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s government announced Wednesday its commitment to increasing digital infrastructure investment, including data centers, through tax benefits and policy changes designed to expand connectivity while addressing regulatory obstacles.
