- The Nvidia $2.9 billion Australia data centre project will power new artificial intelligence facilities with renewable energy across the country.
- The project will boost clean energy use and position Australia as a global AI infrastructure leader.
Nvidia Corporation has partnered with Australian startup Firmus Technologies Ltd. to build a network of renewable energy-powered artificial intelligence (AI) data centres across Australia. The collaboration, called Project Southgate, marks a major milestone in merging advanced AI technology with sustainable energy.
Construction is already underway on two data centres in Melbourne and Tasmania. These facilities form part of an A$4.5 billion (US$2.9 billion) investment. According to Firmus, they will use 150 megawatts of renewable power and are expected to go live by April 2026. Each centre will operate with Nvidia’s GB300 chips, designed for high-performance computing.
The project also has significant room for growth. Firmus revealed that Project Southgate could expand to 1.6 gigawatts of power by 2028. This phase would require a total investment of A$73.3 billion. The expansion would also support 5.1 gigawatts of new wind, solar, and hydropower capacity nationwide. According to BloombergNEF, this equals about 5% of Australia’s total installed power capacity.
This initiative highlights Australia’s chance to combine its abundant renewable energy with a growing digital economy. Building clean energy data centres will create demand for large-scale renewable projects, especially in remote areas rich in sunlight and wind.
The partnership also reflects a global shift towards sustainable AI infrastructure. Around the world, technology firms are seeking to balance digital growth with environmental goals. Nvidia and Firmus are demonstrating how renewable energy and computing innovation can work together to cut carbon emissions while supporting the rapid expansion of AI technologies.
Oliver Curtis, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Firmus, stated:
“Project Southgate is a blueprint for how Australia can lead the world in scalable, sovereign AI infrastructure.”
In summary, the Nvidia $2.9 billion Australia data centre project signals a new era for Australia’s technology landscape. It sets an international example of how renewable power can fuel innovation, strengthen sustainability, and transform data management in the digital age.