The Albanese government’s determination to set rules on new data centres, especially a requirement they source additional renewable energy, is a thing of wonder for a sector that has struggled to secure power deals that make their projects viable.As prime minister Anthony Albanese sits down with state and territory leaders for a national cabinet meeting on Wednesday, all signs continue to point to the government holding the line when it comes to determining what energy sources will power the booming data industry.
That determination to support renewables has tended to avoid any mention of one important word – and a key reason to resist the push from Queensland and the Northern Territory to leverage data centre demand to bolster gas and coal power.
The missing word? Emissions.
It’s a curious omission.
After all, should the federal government succeed, the avoided emissions could rival or exceed almost any other climate policy it now has in place to hit Australia’s legislated carbon goals for 2030 and 2050, and its adopted – but not legislated – 2035 emission reduction target range.
