Pay to play: Aussies tell data centres to fund their own clean energy

Climate Council

A SUPER MAJORITY of Australians believe data centre operators must be compelled to invest in additional renewable energy to cover their electricity demands, according to national polling commissioned by the Climate Council.

A new YouGov survey of 1624 Australians found that 82% of people agreed that governments should insist that new data centres pay for additional renewable energy and storage infrastructure that matches their electricity consumption.

Seven out of every 10 respondents supported the introduction of strict energy and water standards for new data centres. The Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council (ECMC) - comprising relevant Federal and State ministers - will meet to discuss the issue next week.

Most poll respondents acknowledged concerns about data centres creating climate pollution if they are powered by coal or gas, and 67% believed data centres were both a risk to the electricity grid and likely to cause higher power bills. 

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said:

“Australians have sent a crystal-clear message: operators cashing in on the AI boom must bring their own clean energy to the table. With energy demand from Australian data centres set to triple by 2030, we can’t afford to let this industry drain our grid, push up electricity bills and create more climate pollution. 

“Australians in every corner of the nation understand exactly what’s at stake and it’s important that Energy Ministers in every state and territory of the nation are listening. 

“The Federal Government promised last week to ensure that data centres won't drive up power prices. This requires mandating that data centres build their own additional renewable power. 

“Without immediate action, Australian households will pay the price through spiked energy bills and soaring pollution within the next few years.

“Each state and territory must come to the table and put the interests of their communities ahead of the profits of tech giants and fossil fuel corporations.

“This polling should be a wake-up call for the Queensland Government. Its opposition to clean energy rules is out of step with Queenslanders, who overwhelmingly want data centres required to pay for their own renewable energy.”

Please find ATTACHED more detailed polling information and a state by state breakdown of the Australian data centre landscape

Key points from the polling:

• 67% of Australians agree data centres risk driving up power bills and putting the grid under strain.

• 82% think data centres should be required to pay for the new renewable energy and storage needed to power them.

• 69% support strict, mandatory energy and water standards for new data centres.

• Fewer Australians (49%) are convinced that the data centre industry will boost Australia's economy.

ENDS

OTHER ASSETS

Climate Council’s response to the new Office of AI can be found HERE

Our submission to the Senate Inquiry into AI and data is HERE

Our extensive Clouded Future research paper on data centres is HERE

Nuclear energy must not be part of the data centre mix is HERE

10 key questions about data centres and climate change are answered HERE

For interviews please contact the Climate Council media team on [email protected] 0485 863 063 or (Wednesday) Danielle Veldre on [email protected] 0408 972 997.

The Climate Council is an independent, community-funded organisation. We provide evidence-based information on climate change impacts and solutions to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.

For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au

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