AirTrunk CEO称社区反对和监管将成为澳大利亚数据中心扩张最大瓶颈

SYDNEY -- Growing backlash in communities where data centers are to be built is among the greatest threats to their rollout in Australia and beyond, the head of one of the region's largest data center developers and operators said at the Nikkei Asia Forum in Sydney on Wednesday.
Robin Khuda, founder and chief executive of AirTrunk, said that as the opposition to data centers grows, companies seeking to build them need to answer questions about the benefits they bring to communities.
"To be honest, capital, energy -- I don't think that's going to be the limiting factor," Khuda said on the sidelines of the forum. "I think the limiting factor is going to be the regulation and the community backlash."
Australia's government is preparing national standards for data centers, which it plans to put into law next year. The rules will require data centers to pay for their own energy supply and be powered by renewable energy, with gas permitted for backup. They must also minimize water use.
Founded by Khuda in 2015, AirTrunk has grown into one of Australia's most successful startups. The company was sold to a consortium led by U.S.-listed asset manager Blackstone and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board in 2024 for $16 billion. It has data center campuses in Australia, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Khuda recently met with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss the proposals. He said the government deserved "kudos" for starting a national conversation. "I think having a national standard policy around power, water, community expectation, is super important," he said. "If we can solve that, having a national consistency, then we know exactly what we're signing up for and, of course, hopefully that will expedite the investment."
Albanese on Wednesday met with state leaders, hoping to reach agreement on the federal government plans. Queensland and the Northern Territory object to restrictions on use of their gas resources as a primary power source for data centers.
Khuda said the government should keep an open mind in terms of what types of power are permitted. "We need to look at everything" for energy solutions to ensure stability and resilience, he said. "We can't be fixated on one type of energy source."
Australia has around 165 data centers at present, which consumed 5 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity in the year to June 30, equivalent to around 3% of total grid consumption. In a forecast released this week, the Australian Energy Market Operator predicted that a pipeline of over 200 projects would see that amount grow over the next decade to about 34 TWh, or 13% of total consumption.
Khuda said that although different communities have specific concerns that call for tailored solutions, residents fundamentally want assurances that power bills will not go up, and that data centers will not strain drinking water supplies.
"I think if we can solve those [problems], I'm super bullish on opportunities in Australia," he said.