Today in Estimates the Minister for Energy confirmed that Firmus Technology plans for AI and data facilities across three Tasmanian sites expect to consume around 400MW in power.
This is more power than any of the other major industrial consumers, noting the industrials are also large employers.
The Minister revealed this power is factored in across the forward estimates, implying Firmus will be the state’s largest power consumer within the next four years.
This is a frightening prospect when Tasmania has no planning guard rails in place for AI and data facilities, and we have limited power.
Questions remain about the capacity in the state to facilitate even more potential data centres.
The Greenpeace report, ‘Energy Vampires’, released last week called for moratoriums on the construction of new AI and data facilities until the proper regulatory and legislative work is in place to protect local communities and their resources.
In light of this huge energy news, the lack of verification of Firmus’ energy efficiency claims, and news of other data centres working with the Liberals to be established in Tasmania, the Greens are calling for the government to immediately act to ensure appropriate guardrails are in place for these facilities. This is a critical step to protect Tasmania’s best interests and to ensure we have a clean, green and connected future.
