The Guardian · AI
Taller power poles draw backlash over NextDC’s Melbourne expansion
NextDC’s plan to make its M3 datacentre in western Melbourne twice as large has suffered a major setback. Australia’s largest datacentre operator needs more power for the expansion. Electricity supplier Jemena initially proposed replacing shorter wooden poles along some suburban streets with taller concrete poles for higher-voltage lines, prompting community opposition.
What to know
- 01
Doubling the size of NextDC’s M3 datacentre would require more electricity.
- 02
Jemena’s initial proposal involved replacing shorter timber poles with taller concrete poles for higher-voltage lines.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights the connection between datacentre electricity demand and power infrastructure planning on residential streets.
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