RimbaWatch said it developed a database of data centres intended to improve public awareness of the environmental impacts of data centre expansion and strengthen accountability over government approvals and construction. (File pic)PETALING JAYA: Data centres in Malaysia could generate nearly 44 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, equivalent to about one-fifth of the country’s emissions in 2024, says environmental group RimbaWatch.

In a press release today, the group said the amount was equivalent to the annual emissions of entire countries such as Tunisia and Guatemala.

RimbaWatch said the amount was based on estimates for 51 data centres with a combined capacity of about 7.5GW, and did not cover all 66 facilities it had mapped across Peninsular Malaysia.