Large-scale AI data centres require substantial electricity and cooling systems to manage heat from computing equipment.
Their water and electricity requirements vary depending on the size of the facility, its technology and how it operates. Each proposal should be assessed using its own published information rather than assumptions based on other data centres.
Water supply and cooling
Important information includes:
- Where the water would come from, including whether drinking water, recycled water or groundwater would be used.
- The estimated daily and annual water requirements.
- The cooling system proposed and how much water it would consume.
- Assessments of possible impacts on local water supplies and the environment.
Electricity supply
Important information includes:
- The proposed electricity demand at each stage of development.
- How the facility would be connected to the electricity network.
- Any required transmission lines, substations or other infrastructure.
- How proposed energy supplies and emissions claims will be assessed.
- Whether future electricity demand and supply arrangements will be publicly reported.
Environment and local communities
Large developments can also raise questions about noise, traffic, land use, agriculture and surrounding wildlife.
South Australians should be able to access relevant environmental assessments and information about how potential impacts will be managed.
Understanding the numbers
A data centre's planned computing capacity, maximum power connection and actual electricity consumption are different measurements.
Figures published by developers may describe future capacity rather than what a site currently uses. When comparing proposals, check what each figure measures, where it came from and when it was published.