Protests mounting ahead construction of massive hyperscale facility in Cape Town

[Luis]

Battle over data centres that will use 12-million litres of water per day in South Africa

Social movements are protesting the City of Cape Town's recent approval of a proposal by Equinix, a U.S. digital infrastructure giant, to build two new data centre facilities in the city.

The proposed development formed part of plans for a 174MW facility on land owned by the King David Golf Club, which could use approximately 12.05 million litres of water per day.

 

[calypso]

Please correct my maths if wrong, but Teraco operates at 0.1 water per kwh on their closed loop cooling system.

174 MW = 174 000 KW
174 000 KW @ 0.1l/kwh = 17 400l/hour so 417 600 liters of water per day, if they are running flat taps 24/7.

So where does the 12.05 million liters/day come from? Per day meant to be per month?

 

[konfab]

To put into context, agriculture uses about 26% of the COCT water system during summer. Assuming the number is correct and assuming peak usage in summer, which is about 1100 ML/D, it will be roughly 1% of water. And considering that unlike all the parasites who get free water, this data centre will pay for it, pay for electricity, pay for rates, it is well worth the time for the COCT to allow the construction. The money COCT gets from projects like this can go to things like desalination (when it isn't being used to build low cost housing in sea point).

 

[Murmaider]

Please correct my maths if wrong, but Teraco operates at 0.1 water per kwh on their closed loop cooling system.

174 MW = 174 000 KW
174 000 KW @ 0.1l/kwh = 17 400l/hour so 417 600 liters of water per day, if they are running flat taps 24/7.

So where does the 12.05 million liters/day come from? Per day meant to be per month?

This exactly.

 

[xcaliber]

Please correct my maths if wrong, but Teraco operates at 0.1 water per kwh on their closed loop cooling system.

174 MW = 174 000 KW
174 000 KW @ 0.1l/kwh = 17 400l/hour so 417 600 liters of water per day, if they are running flat taps 24/7.

So where does the 12.05 million liters/day come from? Per day meant to be per month?

I assume the water usage is from the cooling towers, which would consume roughly this.

 

[Vorastra]

People living in a poor country, up in arms when a company finally invests here.


Beggars that want to be choosers.

 

[xera]

Well at least Cape Town gets 14 Million liters of water per day from it's temporary desalination plants... Wait - are those still running?

 

[nicroets]

Equinix will pay the municipality for water and will be a predictable client. There really shouldn't be a problem as long as the municipality just do proper planning e.g. build desalination plants, dams and other infrastructure.

Free markets can also play a role: Water prices rise, farmers scale back production. The small rise in food prices will be more than offset by a slightly stronger Rand enabling more food imports (or less food being exported). (Equinix is good for the Rand because it brings foreign capital and technology to SA)

 

[McGuywer]

If the protester’s kids find out this could lower their ping……

 

[purrr]

People living in a poor country, up in arms when a company finally invests here.


Beggars that want to be choosers.

It won't employ many people. How does this benefit us?

 

[rustypup]

It won't employ many people. How does this benefit us?

Whut?

Currently zero jobs at all is about to become some jobs and you're whining?

Who broke you?

 

[purrr]

Whut?

Currently zero jobs at all is about to become some jobs and you're whining?

Who broke you?

You forget we have issues with water and electricity.

Data centres don't benefit us.

Maybe 100 jobs.

No they can **** off.

 

[Vorastra]

It won't employ many people. How does this benefit us?

Taxes and local purchase. Do you think the company will be generating money for free.

 

[rustypup]

Data centres don't benefit us.

You... really don't have a clue do you

As a reminder.. .your "whine" was about jobs. Now you're shifting the posts because you were clearly spewing BS.

Let's see where this goes next.

 

[purrr]

Whatever, they can **** off.

 

[DodgeThis]

Equinix will pay the municipality for water and will be a predictable client. There really shouldn't be a problem as long as the municipality just do proper planning e.g. build desalination plants, dams and other infrastructure.

Free markets can also play a role: Water prices rise, farmers scale back production. The small rise in food prices will be more than offset by a slightly stronger Rand enabling more food imports (or less food being exported). (Equinix is good for the Rand because it brings foreign capital and technology to SA)

You are saying there is no problem as long as Cape Town builds dams etc - then clearly there is a problem. How long does it take to build a dam?

 

[rustypup]

they can **** off.

<babelfish>
I am angry about "things" because of ignorance and social media and thinking is not in my wheelhouse
</babelfish>

Argue your case. Not your ignorance and misdirected anger.

 

[purrr]

You know what they say about opinions?

 

[rustypup]

You know what they say about opinions?

Some are informed and some are garbage?

 

[purrr]

Really not interested in a debate. We don't want massive data centres here. Almost 200MW, are you ****ing insane?!