Australia's new data centres must be majority renewable powered, says minister
Bowen said data centres must fund new renewable generation and transmission as part of a federal plan to protect grid reliability and household bills.
- On Wednesday, Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced federal plans to mandate that new data centers fully offset electricity use with renewable energy, overriding opposition from regional administrations.
- Describing data centers as energy consumption "whales," Bowen outlined regulations based on a "causer pays" principle to ensure corporations fund grid upgrades rather than households.
- Queensland Energy Minister David Janetzki and the Northern Territory government split with the federal plan, with Janetzki criticizing it as "underdeveloped ideas that hand increased power to Canberra."
- The government formally requested the Australian Energy Market Commission make rule changes forcing data centers to fund infrastructure, while a "guarantee of origin scheme" will verify renewable investments.
- Bowen warned he will use Commonwealth legislation to ensure energy reliability, preventing a "race to the bottom" among states that could undermine national 2035 carbon emission targets.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Australia's new data centres must be majority renewable powered, says minister
Australia’s energy minister Chris Bowen said on Wednesday that plans by the Northern Territory to use its large-scale shale gas resources to power data centres would run counter to proposed national standards, casting doubt over the Territory's ambition to attract multi-billion dollar tech investments.
Australia's new data centres must be majority renewable powered: Energy Minister, Chris Bowen
Australia's energy minister declared gas-only data centres will fail national standards. New Canberra policies mandate data centres build renewable power sources. Northern Territory's plans for gas-powered data centres face federal opposition. This policy casts doubt on attracting multi-billion dollar tech investments. Gas power will only be allowed for intermittent renewable energy backup.
Australia Doubles Down on Data Centers Using Renewable Power
Australia’s federal government will press on with a nationwide push to ensure new data centers use renewable energy, pledging to pass laws despite opposition to the move from some regional administrations.
Australia to use Guarantee of Origin scheme to push data centres to supply their own renewable power « Carbon Pulse
Australia will use its national emissions certification scheme to drive data centres to secure their own renewable electricity supply, as a way to ensure they do not become a burden on energy demand and consumers.
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