Residents Protest Gas-Fired Power Plants for Data Centres in NSW Southern Highlands

More than 200 residents gathered in the NSW Southern Highlands last week to oppose three gas-fired power stations proposed by Sydney company Nakar Property and its subsidiary Cloud Carrier. The plants would have a combined capacity of more than 700 megawatts and would supply electricity to an existing data centre and two additional centres planned for the site less than five kilometres from Moss Vale town centre.

The largest plant would generate 673 megawatts. Wingecarribee Shire councillor Heather Champion, who organised the protest, said residents were concerned about air quality, emissions and the precedent the project could set for other data centres.

A development application for a 16-megawatt gas plant on the site is before the Land and Environment Court after Wingecarribee Shire Council did not decide within the required timeframe. A similar-sized plant has already been approved through the same process.

The largest plant is being assessed through the state significant development pathway. Nakar Property declined to comment on the current court matter but previously stated emissions would be treated to remain below NSW Environment Protection Authority limits.

Local resident Nathalie Swainston told the protest she was concerned about climate impacts. Neighbouring farmer Ros Murphy told the court that potential pollution could affect the sale of cattle from her family's 60-year-old operation.

The NSW parliamentary inquiry into data centres heard from council director Michael McCabe on Friday. He said the proposal appeared inconsistent with the shire's climate action plan, which targets net zero emissions. NSW currently has 90 operating data centres and more than a dozen in planning.