PoliticsChris Bowen vows to override Queensland and NT to mandate renewable-powered AI datacentres

Australia’s energy minister, Chris Bowen, says the federal government will use new legislation to override state governments that resist national datacentre rules. The proposed law would require new AI datacentres to run on renewable energy and prohibit gas-powered facilities. Bowen expects counterparts in Queensland and the Northern Territory to oppose the move after protesting the rules last week. He says the Albanese government remains committed to powering the AI revolution with renewables while protecting households and energy reliability.

Australian politicsrenewable energyartificial intelligencedatacentres

TThe Guardian★★★☆☆2026-08-05 08:09Original