Arabic version: خطة مركز بيانات في كوينزلاند قد ترفع الطلب على الكهرباء 25 في المئة

According to ABC News, Singapore-based developer Zerra DC has proposed a $31.9 billion Western Downs Digital Park at a feedlot near Dalby, 250 kilometres west of Brisbane. The project, earmarked for a 725-hectare plot, is currently Australia’s largest proposed data centre and is being considered by the Western Downs Regional Council.

The four-phase project would have a total peak capacity of 2.16 gigawatts, comparable to the power draw of 1.5 million average Australian households. At the end of its rollout, it could use about 47 gigawatt-hours a day, potentially increasing Queensland’s daily electricity use by 25 per cent from an average of 170GWh.

University of Southern Queensland associate professor Andreas Helwig described the requirement as an “enormous amount of energy” and said the proposal could test how computing facilities are powered. He warned that getting it wrong could affect grid stability and consumer costs. Zerra DC said the park would connect directly to a major substation rather than Ergon Energy’s local distribution network, and noted nearby gas-fired power stations, solar and wind farms.

The development application was submitted last month and could take years to be approved, while construction could take four to six years. Climate Finance Energy director Tim Buckley said added demand would need investment in new generation assets. Western Downs Mayor Andrew Smith said the region was well positioned for the development and that discussions on community benefit agreements were under way. Save Our Darling Downs spokesperson Liza Balmain said guidelines were needed on the natural resources required and questioned the long-term benefits for communities.