Full Breakdown
Anthropic Secures $32 B Data Centre Lease in Queensland Amid Energy-Source Debate
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Lease Agreement and Project Scope
On September 16, 2026, Anthropic, developer of the Claude model, signed a lease for a new data-centre campus in the Western Downs region of Queensland, near Dalby, about 250 km north-west of Brisbane. The facility will be built by Singapore-based Zerra DC as part of the Western Downs Digital Park, covering roughly 725 hectares of former farmland and slated to begin operations in 2027. The centre will focus on “inference” – answering user queries – rather than training new AI models.
Background & Context: State-Federal Energy Policy Clash
Queensland’s Liberal-National government presented the deal as a showcase of the state’s “energy security” and streamlined approvals. Premier David Crisafulli argued that Queensland should chart its own power-supply path, a stance endorsed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. This runs counter to a July Commonwealth proposal that would require all new AI data centres to be powered exclusively by newly built renewable projects. Queensland secured a carve-out permitting the use of existing coal- and gas-fired generators for the Western Downs project.
Data & Statistics
- Financial scale: A$31.9 billion (Guardian) or A$32 billion (SMH, ABC).
- Power capacity: Planned capacity of 2.16 GW, comparable to the electricity use of 1.5 million Australian households.
- Land area: 725 hectares.
- Timeline: Lease signed September 16 2026; first stage expected online in 2027.
- Energy mix: First stage could draw power from nearby gas plants; Anthropic also intends to secure renewable PPAs and install an on-site battery system for grid stability.
Official Statements & Responses
The Commonwealth has pledged resource-use restrictions on data centres from 2027 and is pursuing AI-specific content-use rules. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei reiterated his call for a slowdown in AI development. The lease remains subject to approval by the Foreign Investment Review Board, and the Western Downs Regional Council is still reviewing the development application.
Criticism & Opposition
Local farmer and Save Our Darling Downs spokesperson Liza Balmain warned that the project’s energy consumption could strain water supplies and increase coal-seam-gas production, threatening regional aquifers. Federal Maranoa MP David Littleproud said power reliability and cost for existing homes, farmers and businesses cannot be sacrificed for the project. Western Downs mayor Andrew Smith described the proposal as “interesting” and noted community concerns about the projected creation of around 1,000 jobs.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Project cost: A$31.9 billion (Guardian) vs. A$32 billion (SMH, ABC).
- Energy source for first stage: Planning documents suggest gas-plant power, while Anthropic emphasizes future renewable PPAs and battery support.
- Council approval status: Assessment is ongoing; no final decision announced.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I also want to acknowledge the commonsense decision endorsed by the prime minister [Anthony Albanese] to allow Queensland to chart its own path for power supply,” — David Crisafulli
- “Power reliability and cost for existing homes, farmers and businesses cannot be sacrificed to get this project across the line,” — David Littleproud
What’s Next
The development application remains before the Western Downs Regional Council, and the Foreign Investment Review Board must grant final approval. Queensland officials say the state will add new generation capacity as the data centre is built, while the Commonwealth plans to enforce resource-use limits beginning in 2027.