The Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) in close collaboration with the Johor State Government made history when implementing a reclaimed water initiative specifically for the data centre sector.
Through this programme, Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn. Bhd., an agency under PETRA, will supply up to 12 million litres per day of treated wastewater to reclaimed water plants that support the operations of two major data centres in Johor.
The recognition for data centres that practice the use of alternative water sources was presented through the Recognition Ceremony for the Use of Alternative Water for the Johor Data Centre Industry.
This effort reflects the joint commitment of the Federal and State Governments in ensuring the stability of water supply, while promoting more sustainable and resilient technology industry practices.
PETRA through its agency, national sewerage company Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd. and the State Government through Johor Special Water (JSW), a subsidiary of Permodalan Darul Ta’zim (PDT), will collaborate to supply treated wastewater through an integrated distribution system to the Water Purification Plants at Bridge Data Centres (BDC) and Computility Technology (Malaysia).
In addition, JSW will also supply other alternative water sources to Dayone Data Centre Malaysia II Sdn Bhd (Dayone).
In this context, Indah Water Konsortium Sdn. Bhd. (IWK) will supply 12 million litres per day of treated wastewater from the wastewater treatment process to the Water Purification Plants built by Bridge Data Centres (BDC) and Computility Technology (Malaysia).
Meanwhile, Dayone will use other alternative water sources.
Data centres are among the main users of treated water, especially for cooling system purposes.
Therefore, steps to diversify alternative water sources through a sustainable approach are not just an operational necessity, but a shared responsibility to protect the country’s water resources and support industrial growth for resilience.
In this regard, the collaboration between the Federal Government and the Johor State Government is an important landmark in promoting the sustainable growth of data centres in Johor, without putting pressure on the state’s water supply.
A total of 3 data centres in Johor have received recognition from the government in the use of alternative water for the use of their respective data centres.
The State of Johor continues to be believed to be the best investment centre in the region, and this can be proven when foreign investment is increasingly coming in to support the development of data centres and will boost the position of the State of Johor as a data centre giant in the region and Johor Bahru as a catalyst for the development of the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia as a connecting corridor between Malaysia and Singapore through the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.
The development of the data centre industry in the state is monitored by the Johor State Data Centre Development Coordinating Committee which is responsible for ensuring that project development focuses on the use of renewable energy to save electricity and water consumption.
In line with the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13) announced by the Government recently, the strategic collaboration between the Federal Government and the State Government is an important effort in driving Malaysia towards a more sustainable, resilient and progressive future.
This initiative to use reclaimed water is in line with Priority D6: Preserving the Health of the Earth of the 13th RMK, which among other things emphasises efforts to diversify water sources sustainably and reduce dependence on raw water.
It is also in line with the direction of the Water Transformation Roadmap 2040 (AIR2040) which recognises reclaimed water as an important alternative source for the water industry sector.
Therefore, it is appropriate that the success of the state of Johor in developing the data centre industry be emulated by other states, especially in the use of reclaimed water and green energy.
In line with the principles of Malaysia MADANI which emphasises the aspects of resource sustainability and inclusivity, PETRA supports this effort which is being implemented jointly between the Federal Government and the State Government of Johor to ensure a more secure and inclusive future for the country’s water resources.
