Johor's Data Center Growth Raises Water Accessibility Concerns
As Johor becomes a major hub for data centers, local residents are facing water scarcity issues exacerbated by external pressures from Singapore's restrictions. The local government's regulatory actions highlight the need for sustainable development practices that consider community needs and environmental resources.
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Johor, Malaysia, has seen its data center capacity nearly double to approximately 5.8 gigawatts by mid-2025, driven by companies seeking alternatives to Singapore's moratorium on new data centers. Residents of Gelang Patah protested in February 2026 over concerns of dwindling water supplies due to these facilities' high water consumption.
A medium-sized data center can consume up to 110 million gallons annually for cooling, while larger facilities may require up to 1.8 billion gallons per year. The Johor state government has classified Tier 1 and Tier 2 data centers as high water users, ceasing new approvals for such projects. Despite economic benefits from data centers, the need for effective water-impact assessments and community consultations is critical to ensure local resources and rights are respected.
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