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- Contact Energy and CDC plan Data Centre near Stratford
- 250 MW data centre to be located near Contact’s Taranaki Combined Cycle gas power plant
- Data Centre to be supported by co-located battery storage development
Infratil (ASX:IFT) and two of its portfolio companies, Contact Energy (ASX:CEN) and CDC, are working together to develop a Data Centre in the Taranaki region of New Zealand.
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Infratil chief executive, Jason Boyes, said the partnership offers an attractive infrastructure opportunity for Taranaki.
“We’re excited by this opportunity to combine CDC’s extensive data centre expertise and sustainability credentials with Contact Energy’s existing infrastructure, renewable electricity generation, and substantial pipeline of renewable energy projects,” he said.
“The ability to use data centre demand to underpin regional investment in more renewable generation and jobs is an idea worth exploring.”
Contact and CDC will seek resource consent for a 250 MW data centre to be built near the site of Contact’s Taranaki Combined Cycle gas power plant (TCC), retired earlier this year having reached end-of-life. It would be supported by co-located battery storage development.
“It is our intention that electricity for the proposed facility would be supplied under long-term contract, supported by new generation from Contact’s 11 TWh pipeline of geothermal, wind and solar development options,” Contact CEO, Mike Fuge, said.
“Large-scale, long-term, contracted demand underpins investment in new renewable generation and batteries, rather than relying solely on existing supply.
“Our strategy is to lead New Zealand’s renewable energy future. And, as part of that, we are playing our part in the economic regeneration of the regions.
“We believe Stratford shapes as an ideal location to explore a digital hub powered by renewable energy from where the local Taranaki economy can thrive, and the wider energy system and New Zealand can benefit.”
Peak construction jobs on the data centre are expected to be comparable to the level seen at Contact’s Tauhara geothermal power station, which provided more than 600 jobs in Taupo at its peak. Once operational, around four times as many skilled workers are expected to be on site compared to the former TCC.
IFT was steady at $12.45 with a Mkt cap of $12.52B prior to markets opening.
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