Australian energy ministers mull national data-center rules
By Sean Maguire ( May 11, 2026, 06:40 GMT | Comment) -- Australian energy ministers are set to consider changes to national energy policy in response to a rapid growth of data centers. The Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council met Friday and planned to discuss how to implement the government's objectives on artificial intelligence infrastructure that include requiring data-center operators to invest in renewable power to offset electricity demand and not to pass costs onto consumers. The council is set to hear independent advice on possible policy changes in July as state-level scrutiny grows on data-center energy demand, water use and environmental impacts. Australian energy ministers are set to weigh national power rule changes to ensure data centers invest in renewable power to offset their electricity demand and don’t pass costs onto other users....
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