Malaysia’s Data Center Hub Tightens Approvals on Water Worries

Johor, the Malaysian state emerging as a regional data center hub, is raising the bar for new projects as authorities seek to curb the heavy water use that’s straining local supplies.

The state, which borders Singapore, will stop approving applications for so-called Tier 1 and Tier 2 data centers that have more basic infrastructure and can guzzle as much as 50 million liters of water a day, the Star reported on Wednesday. That’s equivalent to about 20 Olympic-size swimming pools.