Beetaloo Energy’s new $40 million data centre plans for the Northern Territory is renewing calls for an immediate moratorium on all such projects.
Today (July 22), the Northern Territory government is in a ‘not to deal’ arrangement for 180 hectares at Weddell, 30km south of Darwin, to be used for a 2 gigawatt (GW) gas-powered hyperscale data centre.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro also claims that up to 12 more data centre operators are also eyeing the region including Energy North’s 1GW Project Ares proposed for Murranji station in the Barkly area.
But Greenpeace Australia Pacific says the plan is a ‘dangerous’ escalation in AI data centre expansion which could entrench fossil fuel consumption for decades, put great pressure on fragile water resources and remain unregulated.
Joe Rafalowicz is Head of Climate and Energy at Greenpeace Australia Pacific. He says: “This proposal for a 2GW gas-powered AI data centre in the NT is a shocking example of the unchecked expansion of hyperscale data centres in Australia.
“It is also, critically, more evidence for the urgent need for a moratorium on all new data centres until strong, binding regulations are put in place to protect our communities and climate,” he says.
Finocchiaro claims “data centre proponents are looking to the Territory” because of their gas power and close ties to major Asian markets and digital superpowers.
OUR EARLIER STORIES
- New rules to regulate ‘wild west’ approach
- New AI office to set the rules for data centres: PM
- Centres to derail energy transition: Greenpeace
THE BEETALOO PROJECT
The Beetaloo project is expected to create up to 5000 construction jobs and as many as 350 long-term jobs; government believes the company wants to use workers in the Darwin-Palmerston area rather than rely on FIFO (Fly In Fly Out) staff.
Beetaloo Energy Managing Director Alex Underwood says the announcement “gives (them) the certainty to advance the next phase of this major project …” while Lands and Digital Development Minister Joshua Burgoyne says it “a clear message that the Territory is open for business and open for investment”.
Burgoyne claims that the “strategically located” site, close to services and planned infrastructure linking Darwin to Beetaloo Basin, “will provide greater certainty”.
Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Gerard Maley says the Territory has a strategic advantage with the Basin due to start supplying gas in 50 days.
“Projects like (this) demonstrate that Territory gas is far more than energy and has the ability to enable other industries to grow,” he says.
“Reliable, affordable gas provides the foundation for digital infrastructure, new investment and drives future economic growth.”
Rafalowicz says the proposal “mirrors the frenzied, unchecked expansion currently wreaking havoc on communities in the US”.
“We are seeing cowboy data centre operators treat Australia like a playground, steam-rolling ahead with projects that would lock down precious water resources and spike emissions, despite the overwhelming community opposition,” he says.
“Every day, more councils, communities and environmental groups are joining Greenpeace’s call for a moratorium on data centres yet there is still no system of safeguards or rules in place to regulate these companies.”
On plans for new data centre regulations next year promised by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Rafalowicz says “next year is too late”.
“Anything less than mandating data centres cover their own energy demand, and then some, with new renewable energy is not enough.”
