Queensland and NT reject federal push for renewable energy mandates on AI datacentres
Queensland and the Northern Territory have rejected the federal government's proposal to require AI datacentres to use renewable energy, criticizing the plan as underdeveloped and centralizing power in Canberra. S&P Global has warned that datacentre electricity use could rise five-fold by 2035, potentially leading to higher energy bills if renewable supply does not keep pace.
Why it matters: This dispute underscores the challenges of aligning federal climate policy with state energy priorities amid rapidly growing AI infrastructure demands.
Full story at: The Guardian / AI ↗