Fresh criticism has been levelled at Australia's fast-growing data centre fleet for boosting fossil fuel output and delaying coal plant shutdowns, as the industry defends its sustainability record.
In a comprehensive report, Greenpeace Australia Pacific has interrogated the industry's environmental credentials, accusing it of failing to cover its own emissions with new solar and wind and "heaping massive new load" onto the grid.
It was also sharply critical of data centre proposals that include onsite gas generation, including a NSW Cloud Carrier project involving a 700-megawatt power plant, and questions the "critical infrastructure" status given "(artificial intelligence) is being used for abuse, war and other human rights violations".
Australia has become the second-biggest destination for data centre investments worldwide as tech companies rush to meet demand for AI tools.
