Google said it had appointed Gamuda Bhd to construct the facilities, which will be transferred to Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan Incorporated (MBINS), the state government’s asset management body, upon completion.
PETALING JAYA: Google will invest US$160 million (about RM650.74 million) in a reservoir and water treatment plant in Negeri Sembilan to strengthen the state’s public water supply while supporting its upcoming data centre in Port Dickson.
The project, coordinated with the state government and Syarikat Air Negeri Sembilan Sdn Bhd (Sains), will provide up to 65 million litres of treated water daily for public use and Google’s campus at Springhill Industrial Park.
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Google said it had appointed Gamuda Bhd to construct the facilities, which will be transferred to Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan Incorporated (MBINS), the state government’s asset management body, upon completion.
The off-river reservoir along the Linggi River will capture excess river flow and rainfall during wet periods, helping to reduce flood risks in surrounding areas.
The stored water will also be used to supply the treatment plant during drier periods, helping to maintain water supply without disrupting the river’s natural flow.
Sains chief executive Datuk Ir Mohd Yazid Ahmad said the development would support the utility’s long-term priorities.
“As Negeri Sembilan’s water utility provider, our priority is to safeguard the long-term dependability and quality of the state’s public water supply,” he said.
The water project was first announced by Gamuda in January 2025. The company said 25% of the plant’s daily treatment capacity of 65 million litres would be reserved for domestic users, while the remaining 75% would support data centre operations.
Google’s Asia-Pacific infrastructure and energy director Drew Byrnes outlined the company’s broader resource commitments.
“Google’s decision to fund shared water infrastructure in Negeri Sembilan reflects our global ambition to replenish 120% of the freshwater volume we consume, even as our water risk assessment showed that local water sources were not at high risk of scarcity or depletion.
“This underscores our responsibility to grow our presence sustainably — pairing advanced digital infrastructure development with water replenishment projects, power infrastructure enhancements, and programmes designed to upskill local talent for new career opportunities,” he said.
Google said it would pay for all the electricity consumed by its data centre campus, as well as the direct costs of connecting the facility to the power grid.
Invest Negeri Sembilan chief executive Datuk Najmuddin Sharif Sarimon said the value of an investment alone was not enough to determine its benefits to the state.
“For Negeri Sembilan, attracting investment is not simply about the size of the capital committed, but also about the quality of investment, its long-term economic contribution, and its ability to create value for our people,” he said.
Google also announced an expanded collaboration with SOLS Foundation to install solar education laboratories in public schools and introduce a 36-hour digital skills programme for renewable energy workers.
The initiatives, scheduled to begin in Negeri Sembilan in early 2027, will support students and young people from lower-income and Indigenous communities seeking careers in solar installation, electric vehicle charging and energy systems operations.
SOLS Foundation executive director Daniela Strimbei said the partnership would build on the organisation’s existing community initiatives.
“Our collaboration began in Selangor by installing solar systems for off-grid Orang Asli households — work that will continue in Kampung Sejantung in 2027 — and is now expanding to reach students in public schools and trainees at our Solar Academy,” she said.
