The developer behind a proposed multibillion-dollar data centre at Kurri Kurri wants to partner with Hunter-based renewable energy projects in a move that could accelerate the region's energy transition.
AirTrunk operates data centres in Sydney, Melbourne, Japan and Singapore.
The Kurri project, valued between $3 billion and $5 billion would be the first data centre the company has built in regional Australia.
"We have been in Sydney and Melbourne for years. We have been talking to the authorities and they have been telling us to go to the Hunter for a variety of reasons," AirTrunk head of energy Sabooh Whitelaw said.
"The REZ (renewable energy zone) is going to bring in a heap of new energy and transmission. This (the Hunter) is a really good location from an energy load perspective."
About 150 people attended an information session on Monday about the project, which is proposed to be built on the old aluminium smelter site.
AirTrunk will wrap up community consultation on the project this week.
But the company's push for community support for the project has collided with a change.org petition to stop data centres from being built in the region.
The petition, which had attracted 179 signatures on Monday morning, argues that data centres will severely impact on local water supplies, potentially compromising the availability of water for agriculture and domestic use
AirTrunk head of community Rob Batrop said the majority of those who had engaged with the company's proposal were supportive of the economic opportunities but were also seeking reassurance about its environmental sustainability.
"I think through social media and other forms people have become very aware about data centres and have lots of questions," he said.
"I'd say we've had a very constructive engagement with the community, but it has also been passionate."
In regard to water consumption, the project will use dry air chillers rather than drawing from local water sources.
The only water we're going to consume would be for toilets," Mr Batrop said.
"We have designed the project in a way that addresses that issue head-on. That has been reassuring to people who have come through."
The project would consume 540 megawatts of energy, or about 20 per cent of the output of Bayswater power station.
Ms Whitelaw said AirTrunk was looking to partner with Hunter-based clean energy projects to power the data centre.
"We're in commercial negotiations with two or three developers in the region," she said.
"There's a lot (of energy) around but we want to make sure it's in the Hunter REZ. If possible, we want to accelerate them."
AirTrunk is in the process of preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for the project, which will go on public exhibition.
It hopes to start construction early next year.
Mr Batrop estimated the project would create several thousand construction jobs over 12 to 18 months.
Once complete, the project would employ between 350 to 400 people in jobs in electrical and mechanical trades, administration, security and landscaping.
