Two massive data centres, to be built next to Cape Town International Airport, have received initial regulatory approval from the Municipal Planning Tribunal.The project, led by Equinix, involves constructing over 120,000 square metres of infrastructure in the Airport Industria area.

However, the application submitted by King David Country Club lacks detailed information on water usage, energy demands, and environmental impacts, sparking opposition from local and international groups.Legal experts highlighted that traditional cooling methods in data centres consume vast amounts of water—approximately 25.5 million litres per 1MW of electricity.The proposed centres, requiring 174MW of power, could use up to 4.4 billion litres of water annually, raising concerns about sustainability in a water-scarce region.Critics argue the lack of transparency on backup diesel generators, fuel storage, and air pollution risks undermines the project's viability.The approval marks a significant step but has ignited debates about balancing technological growth with environmental responsibility.