Twelve Data Centres Proposed for Northern Territory, Citing Gas, Solar and Asia Cable Links

Abc reported that companies have proposed 12 data centres across the Northern Territory, drawn by the region's gas reserves and solar potential as well as its location near undersea cables linking Australia to South-East Asia. Vantage North Group, formed by three former senior NT public servants, represents both gas producers in the Beetaloo basin and firms planning the centres.

One recent proposal called for 1 gigawatt of constant power at full capacity, more than three times the 294.9-megawatt peak demand recorded by the Darwin-Katherine system in 2024-25.

A gigawatt-scale facility planned for the Barkly region would consume up to 4 gigalitres of water annually, exceeding greater Darwin's monthly total. Sydney Water has projected that data centres will account for a quarter of the city's annual water use by 2035.

Greenpeace Australia has urged a pause on new centres until legislation is reviewed, citing an analysis it co-authored that estimated data centres could reach 13 per cent of national electricity demand by 2040.

Campaigner Solaye Snider said the projects typically rely on gas or other fossil fuels because binding rules do not yet require fully renewable supply. Jason Finlay, a partner at Vantage North Group, said developers view the Northern Territory as competitive even under stricter renewable mandates because Singapore and other hubs have tightened grid-access rules.

He noted that a large-scale build in the NT could serve demand from markets immediately to the north.

The federal government is examining AI policy options, and artificial intelligence is scheduled for prominent discussion at Labor's national conference this week. The party may broaden its platform to include additional oversight of safety risks, copyright, and the electricity and water demands of data centres.