Colocation data center firm Equinix is facing opposition to its plans to build two data centers in Cape Town, South Africa, over concerns about water use and power.

According to Reuters reporting, the colo giant has seen its plans to construct two data centers in the Mother City face opposition from community groups and the UK non-profit Foxglove, who have claimed that the projects lack key details on water use, electricity demand, and environmental impact.

“There is simply ​not enough information for a decision on a project of this scale, with no substantive detail on ​water use, emissions, electricity demand, diesel generators, air pollution, noise, or even the buildings themselves,” said Rosa Curling, co-executive director at Foxglove.

The groups filed a formal objection to the city over the proposed projects, which, if built, could total 160MW of capacity. The objection also raised concerns over the use of diesel backup generation, pollution, and noise. Cape Town has faced significant load shedding in recent years due to mismanagement at the country’s state-owned utility, Eskom. The city also came very close to running out of portable water during the 2017-2018 “Day Zero” drought crisis, which has heightened community concerns over the implications of large-scale data centers in the city.

The City has given King David Golf Club, King Air Industrial, the site owner where the data centers are planned, and Equinix 30 days to respond, after which the City has 180 days to ⁠make ​a decision.

Equinix first entered the Rainbow Nation back in 2024, when it opened its first International Business Exchange (IBX) data center in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Located in the Germiston area of the city and known as JN1, the site provides more than 20,000 sq ft (1,900 sqm) of colocation space in its initial phase, with plans for expansion to more than 100,000 sq ft (9,515 sqm) at full build-out.

Equinix made its first move into the African continent in December 2021 after acquiring MainOne. Through its MDXi unit, MainOne operates four facilities in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, totaling 64,000 sq ft (5,950 sqm).