Heads of agreement signed with an Australian data centre operator for up to 1GW of AI data centre infrastructurePartner gets exclusivity over an initial 40ha parcel inside the 1580ha Aurora Energy PrecinctDevelopment could start with 17MW before scaling to 200MW and eventually 1 gigawatt capacity
- *Special Report: 1414 Degrees has opened another commercial pathway for its Aurora Energy Precinct in South Australia, signing a heads of agreement with an Australian data centre operator to develop up to 1GW of AI data centre infrastructure on site. The proposed project would be anchored by Aurora’s renewable generation and battery storage assets, giving 1414 Degrees (ASX:14D) another way to monetise the precinct alongside its existing battery energy storage and EV charging plans.
The deal initially gives the operator exclusivity over a 40ha development parcel within Aurora’s broader 1580ha landholding.
Aurora has up to 900MW of solar generation potential, an approved 140MW/280MWh battery energy storage system, high-voltage connection infrastructure, and land, fibre and water access.
Built for hungry AI loads
AI data centres are power hungry beasts and this is becoming one of the defining infrastructure issues of the next decade.
1414 Degrees says Aurora’s mix of land, renewable generation, battery storage, 33kV and 275kV grid connection potential makes it well suited to host modular data centre infrastructure.
The modular technology is designed to work with renewable generation and storage assets and can be relocated or replaced as technology develops.
Source: 14D
Under the proposed structure, 1414 Degrees would provide the development parcel, power and connectivity inputs, while the data centre partner would bring the capital, technical expertise and operating capability to deploy and run the infrastructure.
A staged path to scale
The proposed development would start with an indicative 17MW starter campus using the 33kV power connection announced by 1414 Degrees last week.
A 200MW anchor campus would follow once the 275kV transmission line is connected.
Longer term, the parties see a pathway to gigawatt-scale data centre capacity as Aurora’s solar generation and battery storage build-out progresses.
1414 Degrees executive chair Dr Kevin Moriarty said the agreement showed the Aurora strategy was gaining commercial traction.
“This agreement validates Aurora’s strategy of attracting energy-intensive industries to a site purpose-built for renewable generation, storage and grid connectivity,” he said.
“The 33kV connection lets us start generating value from part of the precinct now, while the 275kV build-out and Aurora’s solar and battery storage development continue in parallel.”
Another use case for Aurora
The AI data centre agreement follows 1414 Degrees’ July 20 announcement that it had entered the EV charging market, with planned charging infrastructure at Aurora for heavy transport fleets on the Stuart Highway from Olympic Dam.
That adds to the broader Aurora pitch as a multi-use clean energy and industrial precinct in the Upper Spencer Gulf Renewable Energy Zone.
1414 Degrees says Aurora’s existing transmission, distribution, telecommunications and water access give it a strong base for energy storage, renewable energy, industrial customers and electrified transport infrastructure.
The timing is also useful.
Major AI infrastructure companies, including Anthropic, have publicly indicated demand for 500MW-plus sites in Australia, according to 1414 Degrees.
Amazon has also entered power agreements with new renewable projects in NSW and Victoria as it seeks renewable power for data centre operations in Australia.
Terms still to come
The deal is still at heads-of-agreement stage, so the major commercial terms are yet to be finalised.
The next steps include due diligence, board approvals, power and connection checks, regulatory approvals and final binding agreements.
The parties will also work with SA Power Networks, ElectraNet and other stakeholders on connection and transmission plans.
This article was developed in collaboration with 1414 Degrees, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
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