America’s Data Center Revolt Finds New Recruits in Australia, Europe and Asia
Opposition to AI knowledge facilities is spreading past the US. Residents in Australia, South Korea, Japan and Malaysia are actually difficult initiatives deliberate close to their houses.
In Sydney, Australia’s largest property firm has dropped a knowledge middle that will have stood about 20 meters from houses. The plan had drawn fierce native opposition.
Residents From Sydney to Korea Push Back
Goodman confirmed it might not proceed with Project Mars in the Lane Cove suburb. The firm defined its choice in a letter.
“Goodman has fastidiously thought of these modifications along with suggestions acquired by means of the planning course of, together with the views of the local people … Goodman has concluded that it’ll not progress with the event utility,” it said.
Meanwhile, Victoria announced new planning rules final month. New knowledge facilities should provide their very own renewable power and can’t use consuming water for cooling. They should additionally sit not less than 150 meters from houses, ABC reported.
In South Korea, residents of Seoul’s Geumcheon district have referred to as on authorities to revoke a knowledge middle’s constructing allow. They have protested exterior the native authorities workplace on weekday mornings for months, CNBC reported.
In Japan, residents of Inzai, a Tokyo commuter city, have sued the agency that licensed a deliberate knowledge middle close to their houses. Their lawsuit cites noise, scorching air and misplaced daylight. In Malaysia, greater than 50 folks staged the nation’s first knowledge middle protest in Johor in February.
Across Europe, greater than 70 initiatives have been rejected or restricted in early 2026, in response to the European Data Centre Monitor.
Nearly $200 Billion in US Data Center Projects Stuck on Local Resistance
In the US, native opposition blocked or delayed about 120 projects worth almost $200 billion in the primary half of 2026. That figure comes from analysis group Data Center Watch.
New York and Texas have additionally paused permits for large projects on the state stage.
Public sentiment has hardened alongside these delays. A Quinnipiac University poll on September 30 discovered 72% of US adults oppose a neighborhood AI knowledge middle. That share stood at 65% in March.
Amazon responded with a $1 billion pledge for communities the place it builds and operates knowledge facilities. AWS CEO Matt Garman warned that native opposition threatens the nation’s lead in AI.
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