Project Ares hyperscale data centre proposal unveiled for NT outback

Energy North has lodged a proposal, known as Project Ares, to build a 90‑hectare hyperscale data centre on Murranji Station south of Daly Waters in the Northern Territory. The development would be powered entirely off‑grid by a combination of a 1,038 MW gas‑fired plant and a large solar farm on adjacent pastoral land, with on‑site water treatment, a 2 km sealed airstrip, a 65‑70 km internal road network and a workforce village. Construction could employ up to 4,300 workers, while the operational phase would require 200‑500 staff at a one‑gigawatt capacity. The project, costing several billions of dollars, is open for public comment until 13 July.

Greenpeace Australia Pacific has called for an urgent moratorium on the project, warning that the off‑grid gas generation would more than double the Territory’s existing gas capacity and generate significant emissions. The campaigner highlighted the lack of binding regulations on AI‑driven data centres and raised concerns about potential fracking for gas supply. The organization urges the federal government to pause approvals while it develops stronger environmental safeguards.