David Littleproud Calls for New Coal Plant to Power $32B Data Centre

Data Centre Energy Demands Trigger Coal and Nuclear Debate

MP David Littleproud stated that duplicating the existing 750-megawatt Kogan Creek Power Station would help secure the power required for the massive digital hub. According to Littleproud, the facility could draw power equivalent to 1.5 million average Australian households, representing roughly 25 percent of Queensland’s daily electricity consumption. “We’re getting to a point where technology is outstripping energy supply, and what we’re going to have to do is be bold enough and courageous enough to look to what the rest of the world is doing,” Littleproud said, while also backing nuclear power to underpin future supply.

Regional Concerns Over Water Usage and Existing Industries

Addressing community anxiety regarding resource consumption, Littleproud noted that the data centre would use “effectively six Olympic swimming pools” worth of water annually. He stated that developers provided him with written assurances regarding these figures, adding that any changes would prompt immediate concern. Meanwhile, Katter’s Australia Party MP Robbie Katter urged the government to focus on supporting established industries rather than rolling out the red carpet for multinational tech firms. Katter criticized a lack of regulation in the artificial intelligence sector, stating that it “sends shivers down your spine” and feels like the state is rocketing down that road without a firm grasp of the long-term consequences.

Strategic Planning and Future Energy Projections

Nicole Bennetts, Head of Policy and Advocacy at the Planning Institute of Australia, highlighted that the sheer scale of the proposal demonstrates the massive changes Australia must prepare for. According to Bennetts, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) projects that data centres will account for about 13 percent of the country’s energy supply by 2036, a sharp increase from just three percent today. Bennetts called for a nationally consistent, proactive planning framework to manage the cumulative impacts of these facilities on land, infrastructure, and energy, moving away from reactive, proposal-by-proposal responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is developing the proposed Queensland data centre?

The facility is proposed by Singaporean developer Zerra DC and is planned for a site near Dalby on the Darling Downs, west of Brisbane, subject to council approval.

What technology company is involved in the project?

AI giant Anthropic has signed its first deal in Australia to use part of the $32 billion data centre hub, with plans to begin using the site from 2027.

How much energy will the data centre require?

According to MP David Littleproud, the facility could draw power equivalent to 1.5 million average Australian households, matching about 25 percent of Queensland’s current daily electricity use.

What are the projected job numbers for the project?

The development is expected to create approximately 1,500 jobs during construction and 1,400 ongoing jobs once operational.

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