New data centres to consume 1/3 of Cape Town’s electricity
SHARE POST:
Cape Town is preparing for a major increase in data centre development, with four new facilities planned across the city adding to its existing 10 data centres. Together, the projects are expected to require 580 MW of electricity, equal to about 34% of Cape Town’s current power supply. The rapid growth shows how demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and digital services is driving major infrastructure investment in South Africa.
Building more data centres is not all positive and there are negative trade offs. The large energy needs of the new facilities are raising concerns about pressure on the electricity grid. Data centres operate around the clock and require huge amounts of power to run servers and cooling systems.
There are also concerns about the possible impact on Cape Town’s wild spaces, often called the lungs of the city. Other questions are being raised about who will really benefit from these developments. Will it help the middle class, possibly the most important group in the city, or will the benefits mainly go to people brought into Cape Town to run the data centres or even lead to a greater concentration of wealth among a tiny group of oligarchs?
Independent news and opinion from the Cape of Good Hope for readers who value good old common sense. We focus on what really matters in South Africa.
Interested in joining the movement? Find ways to get involved
GET NOTIFIED FOR NEW CONTENT
read more
Public trust shaken over Bergvliet development approval
Residents shocked after learning Tokai development already approved despite unresolved environmental concerns and limited scrutiny.
AfriForum approaches court to revise Graaff-Reinet’s name change
The decision of Minister Gayton McKenzie to rename Graaff-Reinet has proven highly unpopular, and has failed to meet consultation requirements
Flood season: WC govt reluctantly recognises need for maintaining infrastructure
Most flood seasons, there is significant damage and erosion. But culverts, and floodwater systems are seldom upgraded, and often simply patched with gabiens
On the “white genocide” claim in South Africa
While there is currently no white-genocide in South Africa, it is an economic block of rising mistrust, political inconsistency and anti-white policies.
When Zille goes – how the DA is destined to be a leftist party
The past week has exposed divisions in the DA, between those who defend the liberal character of the party, and those who wish it to become more like the ANC
International Law overrides the South African constitution for group self-determination
Public trust shaken over Bergvliet development approval