NextDC因墨尔本M3园区供电遭社区反对延期至2028，重挫40%并大幅下调FY27指引

CANBERRA -- Major Australian data center operator NextDC's shares tumbled 40% on Wednesday after the company revealed that a public backlash had stalled plans to increase power supply to a flagship site in Melbourne, underscoring the challenges facing the rollout of in-demand artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The operator of data centers in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Japan had issued a statement confirming work to increase power capacity to expand its M3 campus had been delayed by contractor Jemena Electricity Networks "because of community and stakeholder opposition."
With the increased capacity deferred until 2028, NextDC slashed its revenue and earnings guidance for fiscal 2027, having excluded affected contracts worth 140 million Australian dollars ($98 million).
After a trading halt on Friday to prepare for its announcement, NextDC shares dived from AU$9.18 before the freeze to AU$5.23 when trading resumed on Wednesday, wiping more than AU$3 billion of value from the stock.
The blow marks the latest hit to data center companies as the accelerating buildout of digital infrastructure to support the AI boom meets public resistance and increased scrutiny from investors concerned about debt loads and future returns.
IPO plans for Australian neo-cloud provider Firmus imploded this month, amid doubts over the company's valuation. Another Australia-founded data center operator, Blackstone-backed AirTrunk, delayed its Singapore listing plans.
AirTrunk CEO Robin Khuda told Nikkei Asia in August that he saw community opposition as the largest hurdle facing the rollout of data centers, even as demand for computing processing power by AI labs grows rapidly.
NextDC's M3 campus in inner Melbourne, long the subject of community opposition due to its close proximity to residential areas, has been contracted to an unnamed hyperscaler.
"The capacity remains under contract, subject to the customer's rights, and construction of the data halls is continuing," said NextDC chief executive Craig Scroggie in a statement.
"We are working with our customer on a revised power ramp, and with Jemena to bring power forward."
Recent pushback at the M3 site has centered on the installation of high-capacity power poles, with reports that some residents had blocked access to the site.
Jemena, which partially suspended work in September, cited access and safety issues, as well as opposition from stakeholders, including the local council, which has withheld consent while consultations take place. The contractor does not expect to recommence work before February, NextDC said.
Approval for further expansions is also uncertain because of the upcoming state election in Victoria, the company said.
With its M3 revenue deferred, the company said it was pausing projects not backed by customer contracts and putting the capital into new contracted capacity. It also flagged the potential of "selected development sites that are not required in the near term."
It revised down its fiscal year 2027 revenue guidance to between AU$475 million and AU$500 million from the previous range of AU$615 million to AU$640 million. Guidance for earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization was also lowered to between AU$245 million and AU$265 million from the previous AU$385 million to AU$410 million.