Proposed $31.9 billion Queensland data hub could consume quarter of state’s electricity
A Singapore developer has applied to build a 2.16-GW data centre on a Western Downs feedlot, which could raise Queensland’s daily electricity use by about 25 %.
Zerra DC, a Singapore-based firm, has lodged a development application with the Western Downs Regional Council for a $31.9 billion hyper-scale data centre on a feedlot 250 km west of Brisbane. Called the Western Downs Digital Park, the facility would reach a peak power draw of 2.16 GW—equivalent to the electricity used by 1.5 million Australian households—and could increase Queensland’s daily consumption by about 25 %, adding roughly 47 GWh to one outlet 170 GWh average.
Engineers warn that without new generation capacity, grid stability and consumer costs could suffer, prompting calls for rapid renewable investment, though the state premier supports an “energy-agnostic” approach that includes gas backup. The site is near existing gas-fired stations, solar and wind farms, and a major sub-station that feeds southeast Queensland and New South Wales, allowing a direct connection that bypasses Ergon Energy’s local network. Community voices, such as farmer Liza Balmain of Save Our Darling Downs, caution about past impacts of coal-seam gas on agriculture, while mayor Andrew Smith describes the project as a new era for the region and notes ongoing talks about community benefit agreements.
Why it matters
The project could dramatically increase Queensland's power demand, forcing major energy-infrastructure decisions that affect consumers and the environment.
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