Thirsty and power hungry: Australia is in the middle of a datacentre boom – but not everyone is convinced | Technology
Publish Date: 2026-06-21 11:00:00
Source Domain: www.theguardian.com
Here are six key points from the article regarding the Mamre Road datacentre project and the broader implications of the datacentre boom in Australia:
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Planning and Scale: The proposed datacentre on Mamre Road in Sydney’s outer western suburbs will include six four-storey buildings stretching 40 metres high, covering a 52-hectare site. These facilities would house 936 cooling units and 852 diesel backup power generators.
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Investment Pipeline: This project is part of an estimated $155bn investment pipeline over the next decade aimed at building infrastructure to support the global artificial intelligence revolution.
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Datacentre Energy Consumption: Datacentres now account for approximately 2.8% of the electricity consumption on Australia’s east coast, and this is projected to grow, accounting for more than 10% by the mid-2030s.
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Environmental Concerns: There is concern regarding the substantial power, water, and land requirements of datacentres, especially considering the environmental impacts like high electricity prices and the need for extensive cooling systems.
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Economic Impact: While datacentres are seen as crucial for the digital economy and future productivity growth, there is debate about their net economic contribution, especially in comparison to the large initial construction workforce and smaller operational workforce.
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Ethical and Strategic Questions: The article raises questions about the broader societal implications of investing heavily in datacentres, including how these investments align with sustainable development goals and whether the expected economic benefits outweigh potential downsides. Experts stress the need for a thoughtful approach to harness the opportunities while mitigating risks.
