Climate group warns data centre boom could raise Australian power prices by 26%
By
David Swan, Nick Toscano
Reliable enough to start your morning with. Toast it again tomorrow.
Summary
A climate group report warns that Australia's data centre boom could drive power prices up by 26% and increase reliance on fossil fuels. The report criticizes proposals to build new gas plants for data centres, arguing this would benefit the gas industry at the expense of households and the renewable energy transition. While official forecasts suggest gas will play a role in grid balancing, the report contends that renewable power remains the cheapest and most beneficial option for consumers.
Key quotes
· 2 pulledIt's like saying that buying a new pack of cigarettes will help you quit smoking. It's nonsense.
Building new gas for new data centres is just a gas industry recipe for their own profits at the expense of the rest of us, who benefit the most from cheap renewable power.
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