Data centres’ power demand to hit 8.39GW by 2030, with Johor accounting for biggest share

Petra said 45 data centres had been completed and were operational in Peninsular Malaysia as of August 2026, with a combined electricity supply capacity of 6.04GW. — AFP file pic

First Published: Tuesday, 20 Oct 2026 9:07 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — Peak electricity demand from the data centre industry in Peninsular Malaysia is projected to reach 8.39 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, based on the current electricity supply planning estimates, according to the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (Petra).

Of the total amount, Johor is expected to record the highest demand for electricity at 4.42GW, and Selangor at 1.48GW.

“Both states are major hubs for data centre development and will therefore require proper electricity supply infrastructure planning that takes into account the anticipated growth in demand,” it said.

The ministry was responding to a question from Onn Abu Bakar (PH-Batu Pahat) on the projected electricity and water demand by the data centre industry up to 2030, particularly in Johor and Selangor, as well as the number of data centres that have been completed.

Petra said 45 data centres had been completed and were operational in Peninsular Malaysia as of August 2026, with a combined electricity supply capacity of 6.04GW.

This capacity refers to the electricity supply provided by Tenaga Nasional Bhd through the National Grid to support the operation of the data centres.

Meanwhile, the projected water demand from data centres in Selangor and Johor is expected to reach 389.04 million litres per day (MLD) by 2030.

“However, actual water consumption by data centres currently reported to the National Water Services Commission stands at 63.90 MLD,” Petra said. — Bernama