Australia’s energy minister stated on Wednesday that Northern Territory plans to power data centers with large-scale shale gas would conflict with proposed national standards. This casts doubt on the territory’s aim to secure multi-billion dollar technology investments. Recent policy from the capital requires data centers to develop new renewable power sources rather than drawing from the existing grid. Both Queensland and the Northern Territory have supported gas-fired power for these facilities. The minister noted that any data center proposed to rely solely on gas would fail minimum national standards and could not register. The new rules include issuing renewable energy certificates to qualifying centers. He spoke after a National Press Club address where he announced a new rooftop solar program. The Northern Territory recently granted 185 hectares of land near Darwin for a 2-gigawatt data center project. Its parent company plans to support it with power from shale gas resources in the Beetaloo sub-basin. The project could draw up to A$40 billion in private investment. Climate reports indicate Australia may miss its 2035 emissions reduction targets without accounting for major new projects. The minister said gas could back up intermittent renewable supply but should remain mostly unused.
