Australia has a new message for data centres: bring new power to the grid and be prepared to pay your way. 🇦🇺
The Australian Energy Market Commission has recommended major changes to how new data centres are supplied with power.
Under the proposals, developers would need to back new renewable generation and firming to match their demand. That could mean building or colocating generation themselves, or financially backing new capacity elsewhere on the grid.
Data centres would also be expected to operate more flexibly, reducing or shifting demand when the grid is under pressure.
AEMC Chair Anna Collyer said: “Our starting point is simple, this growth must not leave other consumers worse off.”
The proposals are designed to ensure the costs and risks created by large new loads are borne by the businesses building them, rather than households and small businesses.
- Details