Transgrid’s network in western Sydney will be largely full by 2033 thanks to the huge influx of data centres, the grid operator has told connection applicants.
The 330 kilovolt network in the area is already nearly full after the network signed contracts to connect 1.5 gigawatts of new data centres.
The “unprecedented increase” in enquiries around large-scale electricity loads in Western Sydney is a major change from historical, predictable demand patterns, Transgrid said in a letter in mid-June.
“Data centre demand is now at significant scale and pace, with enquiries concentrated towards Western Sydney,” it said.
“More than 8 GW of prospective data centre load is currently in advanced discussions with Transgrid regarding potential connection to the transmission network. To put that into perspective, the average daily demand for electricity in New South Wales (NSW) typically ranges between 7.5 GW and 10 GW.”
