There is no general moratorium on data centres in Malaysia. Since 24 February 2026, new applications for non-AI data centres have been stopped nationally (Malay Mail); AI data centres can still apply, although no written definition of “AI data centre” has been published.
In 2026 Malaysia also announced a 30% renewable-energy requirement with no effective date (Malay Mail), charges for unused power allocations with no published rate (The Star), and a Digital Infrastructure (Data Centre) Bill due at Cabinet in 2027, whose text is not public (Malay Mail). Johor’s water rules are in force.
- 24 Feb 2026
- New non-AI applications stopped (Malay Mail)
- 2027
- Data Centre Bill due at Cabinet (Malay Mail)
- 30%
- Renewable-energy floor announced, no effective date (Malay Mail)
What data-centre rules has Malaysia introduced?
Newest first. In force: applies now. Announced: stated by a minister or agency, with no published rule or rate. Proposed: being drafted. RSS feed · Get monthly updates by email.
| Date | Rule | Who | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grid access released in phases under binding Electricity Supply Agreements; operators submit 10-year staggered load projections. No financial penalty specified. | Ministry of Energy Transition (written reply) | In force | (Malay Mail) | |
| At least 30% renewable energy for the data-centre sector. No effective date given. | Federal government | Announced | (Malay Mail) | |
| Connected Load Charge “increased” to deter over-applying for capacity. New rate and start date not stated. | Deputy Prime Minister (written reply) | Announced | (The Star) | |
| Strategic direction for sustainable data centres agreed; a Digital Infrastructure (Data Centre) Bill to go to Cabinet in 2027. The bill’s text is not public. | National Economic Action Council; Ministry of Digital | Proposed | (Malay Mail) | |
| Operators charged for allocated capacity whether used or not. No rate or effective date. | MITI minister, Dewan Rakyat | Announced | (The Star) | |
| Technology transfer and unsubsidised, market-priced power to be key conditions, negotiated when investors apply. | MITI minister, Dewan Rakyat | Announced | (The Vibes) | |
| Operators that over-reserve power or water “will be penalised”. No rate published. | Deputy Prime Minister, Parliament | Announced | (w.media) | |
| Johor will not approve high-water-demand designs; only Tier 3 and Tier 4 air-cooled halls considered. | Johor state government | In force | (Malay Mail) | |
| New non-AI data-centre applications stopped nationally. No written definition of “AI data centre” published. | Prime Minister | In force | (Malay Mail) | |
| GBI Data Centre Tool 2.0 applies to GBI-registered projects. | Green Building Index | In force | (Baker McKenzie) | |
| Johor stops approving Tier 1 and Tier 2 data centres. | Johor state government | In force | (NST via w.media) | |
| Johor data-centre water tariff of RM5.33 per m³. | Johor state government | In force | (The Star) | |
| HV Ultra time-of-use electricity tariff for data centres: 55.18 sen/kWh peak, 51.09 off-peak, plus capacity and network charges. | Energy Commission; TNB | In force | (Energy Commission) |
Is there a data-centre moratorium in Malaysia?
No general one. Only new non-AI data-centre applications are frozen, since 24 February 2026 (Malay Mail). Johor separately does not approve Tier 1 or Tier 2 halls (NST via w.media) or high-water-demand designs (Malay Mail). See what counts as an AI data centre.
What is the Digital Infrastructure (Data Centre) Bill?
A proposed law, not yet tabled. The National Economic Action Council agreed a strategic direction for sustainable data centres on 19 October 2026, and the bill is due to go to Cabinet in 2027 (Malay Mail). Its text has not been published, so any description of what it requires is unconfirmed.
What is not public
We could not confirm these from a published source as of 10 November 2026. Do not assume them:
- The text of the Data Centre Bill
- A written definition of “AI data centre”
- Rates for unused-capacity charges
- The effective date of the 30% renewable-energy rule
Croutons Research publishes open data and methods on AI data centres in Malaysia. See the open method for measuring AI work per megawatt.
Sources
- Energy Commission, TNB tariff schedule RP4 (MyEnergyStats copy)
- The Star, data centres to bear costs (21 Oct 2026)
- The Star, unused power allocations (15 Oct 2026)
- Malay Mail, data-centre power share heading for 21% (4 Nov 2026)
- Malay Mail, new non-AI data centres frozen (24 Feb 2026)
- NST via w.media, Johor stops approving Tier 1 and 2
- Malay Mail, Johor refuses high-water designs (10 Mar 2026)
- The Star, Johor water tariff for data centres (Aug 2025)
- w.media, penalties for over-reserving water and electricity (Jun 2026)
- Baker McKenzie, Malaysia’s new data-centre framework and GBI tool (Aug 2025)
- The Vibes, technology transfer and unsubsidised power as conditions
- Malay Mail, Data Centre Bill to Cabinet in 2027 (19 Oct 2026)
- Malay Mail, 30% renewable energy rule for data centres (28 Oct 2026)
Last checked 10 November 2026