PHOTO: FILE
The construction of Amazon‘s inaugural data center in Auckland faces delays due to issues with its stormwater design.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced a $7.5 billion investment plan spanning 15 years, involving the establishment of three centers within the city.
According to Auckland Council, the resource consent application from the US tech giant was halted in September 2023, primarily due to unresolved concerns regarding stormwater management, as dictated by the Totara Creek Integrated Catchment Management Plan.
Despite progress in other areas such as earthworks, geotechnical matters, noise and vibration control, hazardous substances management, industrial trade activity, contamination mitigation, access design, and groundwater considerations, stormwater management remains a sticking point.
Data centers, given their extensive computer server infrastructure, typically require significant water usage for cooling purposes.
The council emphasized that such delays are not unusual in the consent process and that the requirement for a connection to the public stormwater network is a standard necessity for large-scale developments, regardless of their nature.
Amazon has yet to respond to requests for comment.