Arabic version: بوين يرفض استثناءات الوقود الأحفوري لمراكز البيانات

According to The Guardian, Energy Minister Chris Bowen says planned national standards for datacentre power supplies will not create special exemptions for Queensland or the Northern Territory. The Commonwealth intends to legislate nationally consistent rules requiring 100% renewable energy, backed by firming, in every state and territory.

Bowen said the sole concession from a national cabinet meeting was that existing coal and gas supply could be considered where a state-owned government instrumentality believes it can provide energy more cheaply than renewables. Such bodies may apply for an exemption, but the Commonwealth will decide whether it is granted.

The Australian Energy Regulator will be required to assess every application. State or territory governments would need to demonstrate that a non-renewable option is cheaper, a test Bowen described as difficult to meet. He said claims of a wholesale exemption for Queensland and the Northern Territory were inaccurate.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had said new rules, expected to be debated in federal parliament next year, would require renewable energy and prevent datacentres from increasing prices for households and businesses. A communique after the Sydney talks referred to further consultation on consistent mandatory standards for energy, water and land use.

The policy debate follows an Australian Energy Market Operator forecast that datacentre electricity use could rise seven-fold over the next decade. Separately, quarterly emissions data released by Bowen showed Australia’s emissions fell 1.6% in the year to March 2026, including a 5.6m tonne reduction in electricity emissions and a 300% increase in battery power discharge.