Key facts
- Anthropic will build its first Australian data center in western Queensland.
- The project is expected to cost $31.9 billion.
- The facility is planned to open next year.
- Queensland Premier David Crisafulli announced the decision.
- The data center will connect to the Braemar power station.
- Queensland secured an exemption to use coal generators for the data center.
Anthropic, the AI company behind the large language model Claude, has agreed to lease a site for its first Australian data center in western Queensland. State Premier David Crisafulli announced the decision in parliament on Wednesday, stating that the proposed Western Downs digital park, to be built by Singapore-based Zerra DC near Dalby, will connect to the Braemar power station. The facility is planned to open next year with a reported cost of $31.9 billion.
Crisafulli highlighted Queensland's energy security and streamlined approval process as key factors in securing Anthropic's investment. He emphasized that the project would add energy generation to the grid, drive down power prices, protect water supplies, and respect local communities. Queensland, along with the Northern Territory, reportedly secured a carve-out from a national agreement that would have mandated renewable energy for new AI centers, allowing the use of the state's coal generators.
Meanwhile, the Australian government is considering a proposal that would grant AI companies default access to Australian creatives' works, a move criticized by independent senator David Pocock. Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, has also reiterated calls for a slowdown in AI development due to growing concerns about the technology.