Queensland, NT Gain Concessions on Renewables Mandate for Data Centres

Proposed national standards for data centres, requiring them to underwrite additional power supply and meet grid cost obligations, have faced pushback. The Queensland and Northern Territory governments have rejected a uniform approach, seeking greater flexibility. This could allow for greater use of coal and gas to power data centres within their jurisdictions.

• Federal Labor government plans national standards for new large-scale data centres.
• Data centres will need to underwrite additional power supply, pay grid costs, and match energy consumption with grid input.
• Additional electricity supply should include renewable generation with firming capacity.
• Queensland and NT governments reject a uniform approach, calling it ‘federal overreach’.
• These states have secured greater flexibility regarding power sources for data centres.