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Energy North scraps start date for Australian data center as review stalls
The environmental regulator has set no new review deadline for Project Ares, a proposed 1 gigawatt campus powered by gas and solar.
Energy North is no longer targeting June 28, 2028, for first power at Project Ares, its proposed 1 gigawatt data center in northern Australia, after an environmental review delay. The startup intends to develop the facility on a remote cattle ranch.
An October 7 decision by the Northern Territory environment regulator stopped the seven-week clock for establishing the project's environmental assessment requirements. The regulator provided no revised deadline and said it would seek federal advice as the government develops policy expectations covering data centers and AI infrastructure.
Energy North vice president of project development Daniel Hunter described the date submitted in regulatory filings as indicative. He said a new schedule would follow the regulator's instructions for an environmental impact statement. The company says it has financing lined up, though Hunter would not name the prospective funders.
Plans for the 191 sq km site include solar generation, gas turbines, an airstrip and accommodation to house 4,300 construction workers. The Territory's Environment Protection Agency flagged 10 potential effects, including water-system pressures and interference with Aboriginal sacred sites. It said it had little confidence in the effectiveness of the developer's proposed measures to address potentially significant impacts.
The Northern Territory has promoted its land, sunshine and gas supplies to attract data center developers. Business minister Robyn Cahill has previously said the government was holding discussions about 12 projects related to data centers.