Are AI Data Centres Welcome in Cape Town?
Many are undoubtedly aware of the significant expansion of data centres, particularly in the United States. According to sources, the number of data centres in the USA varies depending on the source. Statista reported 4,184 U.S. data centres as of April 2026. In a report from August 2026, Axios estimated the number to be around 4,000, with approximately 3,000 more under construction or planned.
I was taken aback on discovering that Data Centres had already received partial approval for construction in Cape Town. Individuals typically display one of three responses toward data centers:
The first reaction is from those who foresee a brighter future with improved data access, aligning with modern advancements, transforming Cape Town into a first-world city with high-speed data, addressing complex challenges, and advancing humanity.
The second reaction comes from people who are not up-to-date with recent news and do not have an opinion about data centers—at least not yet.
The third group closely follows US news, where people have been misled into hosting data centres, leading to costly electricity increases, water shortages, farmland loss, unsafe underground water, and issues with noise. They oppose human greed and are dedicated to protecting the planet and all living creatures from the destructive forces of man.
Background on Data Centres Planned for Cape Town
Equinix (King Air Industria / Airport Industrial):
Equinix is a major US-listed global data centre company.
The landowner/development site is linked to the King David/King Air Industria precinct.
Two giant facilities covering over 120,000 m² (equivalent to 14–17 rugby/football fields, or in this case a golf course).
These hyperscale data centres are being driven by AI/cloud demand.
Power demand: 174 MW / 174 MVA (funded network charges and a private switching station).
Preliminary approval: Issued by the Municipal Planning Tribunal (subject to Site Development Plan approvals).
The project has faced criticism for not revealing the water and electricity consumption of these facilities.
Other Major Operators Planned:
Teraco expanding its CT1 facility in Rondebosch.
Planned expansions by operators like Africa Data Centres and broader regional multi-hundred-MW proposals across the city.
Are the Centres a Done Deal?
The project is past the first major regulatory hurdle, but
It is NOT fully approved or construction-ready yet
There is still significant regulatory, environmental, and legal risk
Whose job is it to approve Data Centres?
City of Cape Town's Municipal Planning Tribunal
Responsible for:
Rezoning
Land-use approval
They approved the application (July 2026)
How the approval vote took place
Tribunal member Wally Johnstone criticised the current definition of a data centre as “wholly inadequate,” highlighting its failure to recognise significant land use changes. He expressed concerns over Cape Town's pressured water systems, recent water access protests in Khayelitsha, and the omission of crucial greenhouse gas emission data. Johnstone stated that the lack of information on water and electricity demand prevented him from supporting the application.
Conversely, the other four tribunal members, led by chair Sydney Holden, believed these concerns would be addressed in the Site Development Plan, pending approval. They viewed the application as a technical amendment to land-use rights. Holden emphasized that a data centre would enhance Cape Town's global competitiveness, create jobs, and improve digital infrastructure. He stressed the need for thorough scrutiny of the Site Development and building plans if approved. The application was approved by 4 votes to 1.
Other required approvals (still part of process):
The project still needs:
Environmental authorisation (EIA) – provincial/national environmental authorities
Engineering & utilities approvals:
Electricity (Eskom / City)
Water use licences
Site Development Plan (SDP) – detailed layout approval by the City
Full environmental and operational details are still incomplete
Potential legal appeals are being considered
There are strong objections from
Housing Assembly
Foxglove (UK NGO)
Legal Resources Centre
Main concerns:
Water usage (Cape Town drought history - Day Zero)
Electricity demand (grid pressure)
Environmental transparency
It is crucial to note that South Africa currently lacks a dedicated legal framework for hyperscale data centres, contributing to the ongoing controversy.
Possible Benefits of Data Centres in Cape Town
Data centers will improve the local economy by generating employment in construction (temporary), as well as in maintenance and operations (minimal). They require a diverse workforce, enhancing local employment and providing several opportunities. Once operational, they create permanent jobs in IT support and facility operations. Data centres may also attract tech investments, boost local businesses, and increase tax revenues. They foster a tech ecosystem, encouraging innovation through collaboration.
Possible Negative Impacts of Data Centres
The rising demand for power and water around the world is putting significant pressure on existing infrastructure, risking outages and reduced water pressure that could diminish residents' quality of life. Local governments might need to allocate substantial funds for infrastructure upgrades, potentially at the expense of essential services. The lengthy process of planning and constructing new infrastructure could lead to delays between demand spikes and improvements, causing frustration among residents and businesses. As demand increases, Capetonians may face higher costs, as data centres often benefit from preferential rates.
Data centres heavily depend on a stable power supply, typically using gas-fired generation for regular operations and diesel generators for emergencies, both of which present environmental and health hazards. They also cause significant air and water pollution due to cooling needs, fossil-fuel backup generators, and chemical-laden wastewater. In Cape Town, promoting cleaner alternatives like battery energy storage and hybrid microgrids with renewables can reduce emissions and boost community resilience, with local officials integrating clean power into planning.
Data centre construction and equipment, such as rooftop cooling systems and backup generators, produce disruptive noise. Diesel generators can reach 100 decibels, impacting nearby residents' sleep and quality of life. Developers should consider natural acoustic barriers, greater setbacks from homes, and improved insulation to reduce noise. Emerging technologies like liquid cooling and enhanced airflow design are also being explored. It is clear that data centres significantly affect community well-being.
Large data centres are reshaping land use in many communities as developers seek extensive areas for campuses, impacting agricultural land, forests, and protected spaces. This raises concerns about wildlife, air quality, and water purity, with fears that rezoning could accelerate the loss of farmland and habitats. Experts suggest minimising damage by building on previously developed land instead of clearing natural areas.
Data centres impact migratory birds due to light pollution, noise, and electromagnetic fields. Artificial lighting disorients birds that navigate by the stars, leading to collisions. Noise from equipment disrupts communication and causes stress, displacing species from their habitats, while electromagnetic fields interfere with the magnetic navigation of birds.
Data centre locations can exacerbate environmental and economic challenges, particularly in marginalized communities. A national review of 700 data centers reveals that nearly half are situated in areas burdened by environmental and social vulnerabilities, such as poverty and low education levels. To prevent further strain, developers and governments must plan thoughtfully. Although these centres bring economic benefits like job creation, they also raise concerns about pollution and habitat destruction. Community forums offer residents a platform to express concerns and shape future policies.
Listen to the noise made by a data centre (YouTube)
Quotes on the AI threat from experts in the field
1. Geoffrey Hinton (The "Godfather of AI")
Hinton has been increasingly outspoken regarding the timeline for superintelligence and the absence of a consensus on how to manage it safely.
"We would be very foolish to develop superintelligence now, when there is no scientific consensus it can be developed safely and controllably. Losing control over AI smarter than ourselves could be catastrophic and could even lead to human extinction." - The Guardian
2. Evan Hubinger & Jacob Coxon (Anthropic Insiders)
Former and current Anthropic researchers reveal that developers privately believe AI might pose an existential risk, with Jacob Coxon stating that insiders think AI could kill everyone by the decade's end. Evan Hubinger agrees, estimating a more than 10% chance of human extinction within the decade and noting the absence of a clear alignment plan for superintelligence. - CBS News
3. Ilya Sutskever (Former OpenAI Chief Scientist & Founder of SSI)
"AI will do all the things that we can do. Not just some of them, but all of them. The big question is what happens then: Those are dramatic questions… the rate of progress will become really extremely fast for some time at least, resulting in unimaginable things."
Sam Altman & Demis Hassabis (OpenAI & Google DeepMind CEOs)
They signed collective statements warning that mitigating extinction risk from AI should be a global priority alongside pandemics and nuclear war.
The idea of "scary outcomes" for AI revolves around three significant factors. Firstly, Superintelligence refers to AI surpassing human intelligence in every cognitive task. Next, Recursive self-improvement involves machines enhancing their capabilities at a pace beyond our ability to manage. Lastly, Loss of control occurs when an extremely advanced system pursues objectives that may conflict with our survival needs.
Conclusion
Data centres in Cape Town offer economic benefits, but environmental and community concerns remain. The Cape Town Municipal Planning Tribunal approved Equinix's plan to construct two data centers . However, the application by King David Country Club lacks crucial details on water and energy usage, backup diesel generation, and environmental impacts, drawing criticism from the Housing Assembly and tech nonprofit Foxglove. Legal Resource Centre attorney Kimal Harvey highlighted the centres significant electricity and water needs, raising alarms due to Cape Town's history of water scarcity, such as the 'Day Zero' crisis. Equinix's omission of water usage details challenges the city's assessment and overlooks those affected by past shortages. The proposal includes a minor land exchange for a substation but downplays the centres impact on electricity and water consumption.
Reports from the United States highlight the negative impacts of certain AI data centres, prompting justified caution. Concerns grow as similar centres are proposed locally, often bypassing public input and forming undisclosed agreements with municipalities. These deals do not fully disclose the centres water and electricity needs, raising alarms in areas already experiencing water scarcity. Additionally, there are suspicions about data centre providers offering financial incentives to city officials, leading to questions about whether such practices are occurring in the Western Cape.
My view on AI data centres in Cape Town is "HELL NO". American AI companies should be approached with caution and required to provide full disclosure before any engagement. These entities often prioritise their own interests, focusing primarily on financial gain, with limited consideration for individual rights and concerns. It's better to be cautious now than to be sorry later.
Some truths about AI data centres (YouTube)
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