Ex-Span Chief Raises Questions Over Data Centre Water Plans

A former chief of Span Malaysia has raised concerns about the feasibility and cost implications of the proposed water supply arrangements for the country's growing data centre sector. The official questioned whether the water sourcing plan had been sufficiently vetted before implementation, pointing to gaps in the overall strategic framework governing the sector's development.

Data centres require substantial water volumes for cooling operations, making reliable supply chains critical to their viability. The former official's intervention suggests that current infrastructure planning may not adequately account for the resource demands of large-scale data centre projects, or the financial burden these demands could place on public resources.

The concerns reflect broader questions about Malaysia's readiness to support the digital infrastructure boom. Policymakers have prioritized attracting data centre investments as part of regional connectivity strategies, but the remarks underscore the need for comprehensive ecosystem planning that extends beyond securing tenants.

The intervention adds to ongoing discussions about balancing economic development goals with environmental and resource sustainability considerations. Industry stakeholders and government agencies are expected to review the adequacy of current water sourcing strategies for future data centre projects.