Australian States Push for Renewable Energy Investment from Datacentres
Datacentres should be forced to invest in wind and solar energy, agree all states except Queensland
The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
All Australian states, except Queensland, have agreed that datacentres must invest in solar and wind energy to fully offset their electricity needs. This decision aims to manage the growing energy demand from datacentres, particularly as their numbers are expected to double by 2030. Queensland seeks more clarity on costs and benefits before committing.
- 01All states except Queensland support requiring datacentres to invest in renewable energy.
- 02Datacentres are projected to double their operational capacity from 1.4 gigawatts to 3.2 gigawatts by 2030.
- 03Queensland's energy minister emphasizes the need for detailed assessments before agreeing to national proposals.
- 04Datacentres currently consume about 2% of the electricity from Australia's main east coast market.
- 05The industry plans to invest $10.3 billion in energy infrastructure between 2020 and 2030.
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Australian energy ministers have reached a consensus, excluding Queensland, that datacentres must invest in solar and wind energy to fully offset their electricity consumption. This initiative comes amid concerns about the increasing energy demand from datacentres, which are expected to double their operational capacity from 1.4 gigawatts to 3.2 gigawatts by 2030. Queensland's energy minister, David Janetzki, has expressed the need for comprehensive evaluations of costs and benefits before endorsing any national proposals that could impact the state's energy system and electricity bills. Currently, datacentres account for approximately 2% of the electricity usage in the main east coast market. The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has been tasked with advising on how to implement these proposals by July. The industry anticipates investing $10.3 billion in energy infrastructure by 2030, reflecting a commitment to offset 70% of their energy use through renewable energy projects and aims for a full offset in the future.
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The shift towards renewable energy investment by datacentres could lead to more sustainable energy practices in Australia, potentially lowering long-term energy costs and environmental impacts.
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