Economy
Climate Council urges National Cabinet to mandate green power for data centres
National Cabinet is debating data centre rules after market operator data revealed at least 225 development proposals across Australia.
Reported from journalists.medianet.com.au→ — read the original alongside this account.
National Cabinet is negotiating new regulations for data centres today amid warnings that the booming sector could drive up power bills and pollution.
The talks between federal, state and territory leaders follow confirmation from the Australian Energy Market Operator that the development pipeline expanded to at least 225 proposals over the past 12 months.
Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie said all new data centres, including those already proposed, must be bound by strong standards that bring on genuinely new renewable energy fast.
McKenzie backed the federal government's commitment to require renewable power for every new facility, warning that any state or territory blocking the measure would be prioritising industry over residents.
The organisation warned that allowing data centres to rely on fossil fuels risks accelerating severe warming, projecting Darwin and Far North Queensland could endure months of additional severe heat annually by 2050.