Accra:The government, through the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), is evaluating the electricity and water supply requirements for data centres. This initiative is in response to observations that the capacity requested by data centres often exceeds their actual consumption.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad announced that the Energy Commission (ST) is conducting a study to determine the actual electricity needs of these data centres. He noted that while data centres request significant capacity, their usage tends to be lower.

During a session in the Dewan Rakyat, the Deputy Minister addressed questions from Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian) regarding the projected capacity of new clean electricity generation by 2030 and the contracted capacity through electricity supply agreements with data centres. He emphasized that any assessment of data centre investments should consider their impact on the country and its citizens, alongside their substantial financial contributions.

Abdul Rahman also highlighted the importance of data centres in relation to artificial intelligence (AI), pointing out that evaluations should include the types of data processed, the benefits to the people, and the consumption of electricity and water.

In response to Azli Yusof (PH-Shah Alam), who inquired about the energy supply for supporting data centre investments, Abdul Rahman noted the high electricity demand in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia. He suggested that data centre operators might explore alternative electricity supply options, such as solar energy or battery storage. However, he clarified that licensing issues fall under the jurisdiction of the ST, and any assessments must balance the interests of investors with those of the country.