Zerra DC Proposes $31.9 Billion Data Centre for Queensland With Potential to Raise Daily Power Demand by 25%
A Singapore-based developer has submitted plans for a hyper-scale data centre in the Western Downs region that would consume roughly a quarter of Queensland's daily electricity.
Zerra DC, a Singapore-based developer, submitted an application last month to the Western Downs Regional Council for a project called the Western Downs Digital Park. The proposal targets a 725-hectare feedlot near Dalby, located about 250 kilometres west of Brisbane. If approved and built in four phases, the facility could reach a peak capacity equivalent to 2.16 gigawatts. At full operation, the project would draw approximately 47 gigawatt-hours of energy per day. Queensland currently consumes an average of 170 gigawatt-hours daily. The developer estimates the new data centre would increase the state's daily electricity usage by 25 per cent. The site is situated in coal seam gas country where mining, gas, and agriculture are economic pillars. Associate professor Andreas Helwig, described as an electro-mechanical engineer, stated that incorrect project design could impact grid stability and raise consumer costs. He noted the initiative could serve as a test case for powering large computing facilities.
