Arabic version: قواعد طاقة مراكز البيانات تتجه إلى مواجهة في مجلس الوزراء الوطني

According to ABC News, premiers and chief ministers will meet Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Sydney today with a dispute over energy standards for AI data centres expected to dominate national cabinet.

The federal government wants national standards requiring data-centre developers to bring their own renewable energy, alongside parameters on water use and community contributions. The Australian Energy Market Operator estimates data centres could rise from using 3 per cent of Australia’s electricity supply to 13 per cent within a decade.

Queensland and the Northern Territory oppose the renewables-focused approach. Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said his government would not be forced into a particular energy pathway, while Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said states and territories should be able to make rules suited to their communities.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen said new data centres should bring renewable energy backed by gas firming. He said the Commonwealth was prepared to legislate over states if necessary, and rejected small modular nuclear reactors as an option, describing them as the most expensive form of energy and the longest to deploy.

Leaders will also consider domestic violence, H5N1 bird flu, fuel security and a national gun buyback. Agreement is considered likely on progressing the next five-year plan to end violence against women and children, while GST is not on the agenda. The bird flu outbreak has been detected in all six states, though not the ACT or Northern Territory.