Earlier this week, #Greenpeace released a report warning “the frenzied rollout of #AI #datacentres in #Australia is set to #derail the #renewableenergy transition, entrench gas and #turbocharge #climatepollution”, arguing current #datacentre operators in Australia had not proved they were covering their own emissions with new renewable projects.

The #CleanEnergyCouncil’s general manager of market operations, #MartinKennedy, told a #NSW inquiry into the sector that Greenpeace’s position is “probably correct” if new renewables are not being built to support datacentres.

“The research that the #CleanEnergyFinanceCorporation commissioned … shows that if you don’t build the new-build renewables, it does push up prices, does create #reliability challenges, and it does threaten emissions targets.”

But Kennedy said if datacentre companies are partnering with renewables projects to provide investment as they’re developed, that offsets what demand those centres need that would prevent this scenario. He said:

“We view it as a win-win. You have renewable developers who are seeking long-term [investment], and you have datacentre developers who are seeking to contract long-term, cost-effective electricity.“ #auspol