Arabic version: أنثروبيك بحثت إنشاء مراكز بيانات في نيو ساوث ويلز بسعة تصل إلى 5 غيغاواط

According to ABC News, internal NSW government emails show that Anthropic expressed interest in locating up to five gigawatts of AI training data-centre capacity in the state. The US company behind chatbot Claude sought discussions with the NSW government while its chief executive was visiting Sydney.

In a March 18 email, Infrastructure NSW executive director Dena Jacobs wrote that Anthropic adviser John Garnaut had discussed an opportunity to locate up to 5GW of AI training capacity in NSW, including outside Sydney. The email did not specify a time frame. ABC News understands the figure reflected initial interest from Anthropic, among several major technology companies consulted by Infrastructure NSW about future computing demand.

Anthropic and NSW Investment declined to comment. Garnaut said he works with AI firms but did not make the particular request. Two weeks after the email, Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei and other senior executives visited Australia. Amodei met the prime minister and treasurer as the company and government signed a memorandum of understanding that included a commitment to expand Anthropic’s presence in Australia.

The proposed capacity would exceed three times Australia’s current total data-centre capacity of 1.6GW, according to new figures from Data Centre Australia. The group projects national capacity will rise to 3.9GW by 2030. The ABC previously reported Anthropic wanted 5GW of new Australian computing capacity by 2030 and had a longer-term goal of 20GW.

National cabinet is considering data-centre rules covering energy and water use as governments seek investment while communities raise concerns about infrastructure impacts. NSW has announced that qualifying projects meeting energy, water, environmental and community requirements can have development applications assessed within 75 days.