AirTrunk lines up $3.7B data centre's renewable power in Hunter
AirTrunk is progressing solar, wind and battery projects in NSW's Hunter to help power its proposed Kurri Kurri data centre.
AirTrunk has signed an exclusivity deal with renewable developer European Energy Australia to progress wind, solar and battery projects in the Hunter to help power its proposed $3.7 billion data centre at Kurri Kurri.
The projects include a 260-megawatt solar farm, a battery of more than 800 megawatt hours, and a wind farm of up to 350 megawatts. All three are planned for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone and could add more than a gigawatt of renewables to NSW's grid.
The solar farm and battery are expected to open in 2030, with the wind farm in 2032. The company admits these projects will not be enough alone to power the data centre.
The two firms are discussing a long-term power purchase agreement. Local council and residents have raised concerns about the facility's power demands.
Cessnock City Council voted last month to lodge an objection.
- $3.7 billion
- Data centre cost
- 260 megawatts
- Solar capacity
- 800+ megawatt hours
- Battery storage
- 350 megawatts
- Wind capacity
Why it mattersPower use has been a main concern about the Kurri Kurri proposal. How the data centre sources electricity will shape local acceptance and NSW's renewable transition.
AustraliaThis is NSW's first attempt to bind a massive data centre to new renewable generation. If successful, it could become a model for other projects, but power supply remains the main local concern.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
