Documents tabled in response to a Greens’ motion have revealed there are 10 AI data centres currently in the pipeline, with up to 1,150 MW of energy potentially to be used.
The Liberal Government has been actively keeping Tasmanians in the dark about their government’s involvement in AI data centre development. They’ve been working behind closed doors with developers for months, if not years.
Last week, the Premier said Tasmanians wouldn’t find out when new data centres were coming online until development applications were lodged. Without the Greens’ motion, Tasmanians would still be unaware of these possible new developments because the Liberals are determined to keep them in the dark.
AI data centres are planning to use a massive amount of Tasmanian energy. Firmus’ 450MW alone is 30% of Tasmania’s current energy use, now it’s been revealed there are 5 other proponents who want to use another 705MW. That’s without consulting Tasmanians or having binding obligations or safeguards in place.
How are the Liberals actually planning to keep the lights on when all these data centres come online? And how much of Tasmania’s finite water resources are they going to use? When the Liberals can’t answer basic questions, it begs the question if they have any real plan at all of catching this horse which has bolted with their encouragement.
The Liberals have been selling off Tasmania’s energy and water resources to AI data centre giants without asking Tasmanians what they want or even establishing their own expectations, let alone real guardrails.
Now they’ve finally released those expectations and it’s clear they do nothing to put in place binding requirements on the largest resource bonanza in Tasmania’s history. Just how many AI data centres are going to come up for approval before they put proper safeguards in place?
A key point in the draft statement of expectations is early engagement with the community to build trust, an expectation the Liberals themselves are already not adhering too.
The Liberals need to start being honest with Tasmanians about their plans for AI facilities in Tasmania, and what they’re going to do to protect the community and environment. AI data centres are set to use large amounts of public resources – the public deserves a say, and for their interests to be protected.
If the Liberals get this wrong at this pivotal point the consequences will be detrimental to our states’ reputation, energy grid, and the community.
