The Greens plan to move for an inquiry into AI and data facilities in Tasmania, as community concern over their impact amidst the absence of regulation grows. We hope this inquiry will provide much-needed oversight and recommend a path forward which ensures the protection of Tasmanian communities, public resources, and our environment.
The Greens have been calling for transparency on the Liberals’ commitments to Firmus Technology and plans for AI data facilities across the state for months. AI and data facilities are incredibly resource intensive, consuming huge amounts of energy and water, while generally producing a very low number of on going employment opportunities.
In Budget Estimates, the Minister Energy confirmed under Greens’ questioning Firmus Technology plans to consume 400-500MW of power across two to three ‘AI factory’ sites. This is more power than any of our current major industries.
We also learned that beyond the existing planning scheme, despite the distinct new type of development these facilities are, there are zero regulation for the construction of AI and data centres in Tasmania. That’s frightening.
Questions remain not only about the capacity of Tasmania’s renewable energy to supply these data centres, but the further data factories the Liberals intend to support. Concerns have recently been raised that these plans could impact on the viability of Marinus Link’s business case.
There’s also been no details released to the public about Firmus’ planned waters use, simply that it’s less that other traditional centres. That’s great, but exactly how much is that figure?
Despite claims of jobs for Tasmanians, it’s unclear how many, and precisely what kind of ongoing jobs these facilities will actually create beyond construction. Tasmanians are yet to have a fair say on how they envision this facilities can productively coexist with the community and environment.
It’s clear there’s more questions than answers on how the Liberals’ plans for data centres across Tasmania will impact Tasmanian communities and the environment. Considering the lack of community consultation, no regulations or parliamentary oversight, and the rapid pace these centres are popping up, an urgent inquiry in necessary.
By moving an inquiry into AI data factories, the Greens hope to provide Tasmanians with the ability to have their say and gain more information on the plans for these facilities. Other states, where data facilities are using less power than Tasmania, have moved on inquiries and are looking at guardrails.
A Tasmanian Parliamentary inquiry can provide some much-needed oversight of the rapidly expanding technology. We hope it will be able to recommend a positive path forward on how these facilities should be managed with Tasmanian’s best interests in mind.
We look forward to working with members across the Parliament and the community to move forward on the inquiry that can help see a future Tasmania that is clean, green, and connected.
