GOOGLE’S additional US$15 billion (RM61 billion) investment in Malaysia will include commitments to expand clean energy capacity, strengthen water security and support flood mitigation, as the government tightens environmental requirements for data centre operators.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Google had partnered Tenaga Nasional Bhd to add more than one gigawatt of new clean energy capacity to the national grid, while fully funding its electricity consumption without public subsidies.
The technology giant also plans to develop an off-river storage reservoir and a state-of-the-art water treatment plant capable of supplying 65 million litres of potable water daily.
Anwar said the facilities would help mitigate flood risks during the monsoon, secure water reserves during dry spells and expand access to clean drinking water for local communities.
Ownership of the facilities would be transferred to the state government upon completion, making them permanent public assets, he added.
“Google plans to build an off-river storage reservoir and a state-of-the-art treatment plant,” he said in his keynote address at the Mantap Malaysia Bersama AI programme.
He said Google had also committed to replenishing more freshwater than its operations consumed.
Anwar said the government had imposed strict environmental conditions on companies operating data centres to address concerns over their consumption of energy and water.
“Yes, these are the conditions imposed ... and they have accepted,” he added.
Anwar said major foreign direct investments remained important to Malaysia's economic growth and ambitions to become a regional player in artificial intelligence.
He also highlighted Google's partnerships with more than 80 Malaysian entities in civil engineering, power systems, network infrastructure and logistics, saying the investment would create opportunities for domestic businesses and workers. - November 5, 2026
