CDC is proud to partner with AirTrunk, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft and NEXTDC for this special research report, which finds investment in Australian data centre capacity is empowering innovation, jobs, essential services and the clean energy transition.
New investment in Australian data centre capacity is forecast to top $26 billion by 2030 to meet soaring digital demand driven by internet-connected devices, cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
Data centres are a crucial component of Australia's digital infrastructure, supporting everything from everyday internet use and streaming services to essential services like emergency response and disease surveillance.
Drawing directly on operator forecasts, the report shows that data centre deployable capacity in Australia is projected to more than double from 1,350 megawatts (MW) in 2024 to 3,100 MW by 2030. This expansion will see a further $26 billion in infrastructure investment.
The report highlights the strategic importance of data centres as part of Australia’s digital infrastructure. The digital infrastructure ecosystem is a key foundation for digital capability, driving productivity, innovation and playing a crucial role in reaching the shared tech industry and Australian government goal of 1.2 million tech jobs in Australia by 2030.
Australia’s data centre workforce is projected to grow by 8,300 to reach 17,900 by 2030, with particular opportunities for new ICT professional and skilled tech trade roles, such as electricians and mechanical engineers.
Major data centre operators and their customers have committed to matching their power use with 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030. This is being driven by renewable energy Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) which create investment certainty in renewable projects.
Of global renewable energy PPAs, 45 per cent involve data centre operators, demonstrating the valuable role data centres play in catalysing the energy transition.
To fully capture the opportunity, the report makes three key recommendations advocating collaboration between governments and industry to:
-Streamline planning and approval processes for development permits and power allocation to help Australia capitalise on the AI data centre growth opportunity, and create greater certainty for operators.
-Enable further investment and accelerate the construction of renewable energy projects, energy storage projects and transmission infrastructure to support digital infrastructure demand and transition to net zero.
-Prioritise workforce development and training to provide the skills for a robust data centre workforce, to strengthen Australia’s digital infrastructure capabilities.
Download the new report by @Mandala today:
https://lnkd.in/gRcxNs3K
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