AI data centres could double urban heat island effect

A recent study warns that expansive AI data centres could double the urban heat island effect in cities, expanding heat up to ten kilometres from the facilities themselves. According to researchers from the University of Cambridge, Nanyang Technological University, and other international institutions, these large-scale data centres generate heat islands, raising ground surface temperatures in nearby areas by approximately two degrees Celsius once in operation.

However, the heat risk isn't exclusive to operational periods. SAM president Meenakshi Raman stated that heat impacts can begin immediately when forests are cleared for construction, as trees act as natural carbon sinks and temperature regulators. The loss of trees alone, even before a data centre is built, could elevate heat levels in the surrounding area.

Malaysia's energy supply predominantly comes from fossil fuels, meaning these data centres could also become significant carbon emitters, contradicting the nation's commitments under the Paris Agreement. While Malaysia has issued guidelines for Sustainable Data Centre Development, they primarily focus on energy and water efficiency, not addressing temperature increases.

The Housing and Local Government Ministry has also established a 50-metre buffer zone from data centre buildings to residential areas, but SAM questions if this distance is adequate to prevent temperature increases. SAM contends that large-scale AI data centre developments are not currently required to undergo Environmental Impact Assessments, viewing this as a crucial gap in Malaysia's data centre governance.

They propose expanding the EIA framework to include emerging infrastructure and technology categories to ensure environmental impact assessments are mandatory for such projects, promoting transparency and accountability.