Data centres are necessary to store, process, and manage the digital information that powers cloud storage and AI, streaming services and online commerce.
But these data centres require on a huge amount of electricity and water. The Energy Regulator and Sydney Water project that by 2030, data centres in Sydney will consume 11% of our grid-electricity and 20% of our drinking water.
Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Miller has been working on this issue for Council, helping us to chart a path in which we can maximise community benefits from tech infrastructure in the City. We’re investigating the potential for developer contributions to fund water and energy sustainability programs for the wider City of Sydney area, particularly for the sites of data centres to recycle water and install solar power on-site.
This week I joined other Capital City Lord Mayors in Canberra to push the case for coordinated national planning and enforceable sustainability requirements to ensure the growth of this sector is checked against pressure on water security, electricity prices, grid reliability, renewable energy availability, and local amenity.
Capital cities are ready to partner with the Commonwealth to ensure Australia remains a global leader in sustainable digital infrastructure, where new data centres support rather than undermine our water security and clean energy transition.
Read the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors communique on data centres here
