Australia’s ambition to be a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) is clear—from sovereign AI strategies to booming enterprise deployment. But underneath the promise lies a pressing energy challenge. Data centres already account for approximately 5% of Australia’s electricity supply today, and according to reports could consume as much as 8% by 2030, or even escalate towards 15% under high-growth scenarios. That shift isn’t simply a statistic, it’s a ticking time bomb for the grid, for emissions commitments, and for sustainable growth. A Grid Under Pressure, a Landscape in Transition The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has recently highlighted that overall grid demand has now ...