OADC Expands Solar Power in Durban

Key Figures & Findings: Open Access Data Centres (OADC), a pan-African data center network funded by the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC), has implemented a 330kW solar power solution at its Durban facility in South Africa. Launched as part of a $200 million initiative by WIOCC, the project is designed to meet all power demands for Data Hall 1, offering a significant reduction in reliance on South Africa’s national grid amid ongoing energy challenges. This Durban facility solar project represents the initial phase of OADC’s broader renewable energy rollout, with further solar systems planned for the Isando facility in Johannesburg by Q2 2025.

Statistics & Insights: This solar setup directly supports OADC’s critical IT load by integrating with both the A and B stream IT operations, leading to cost-effective, sustainable power usage. Additionally, OADC has earmarked $500 million for expanding its network across Africa, including edge sites and data centers in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and other strategic locations.

Future Implications: If this project proves successful, OADC’s solar model could catalyze similar projects in other African data centers, particularly as energy self-reliance grows more vital encourage other African data centers to adopt similar renewable energy models, potentially decreasing operational expenses and grid dependency.

Source: Data Center Dynamics