Urgent need for rules and protections on data centres, Greens say
New Zealand's Green Party is calling for a one-year moratorium on new AI data centre consents to allow for the development of stricter regulations. This follows the approval of a massive data centre project in Southland that is expected to consume significant electricity and water resources.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the tension between the rapid growth of AI infrastructure and the need for sustainable resource management and public oversight.
The Green Party wants a one-year pause on consents for new AI data centres, until stronger rules and regulations are put in place.
It comes after New Zealand's first AI factory moves closer and closer to reality.
Singapore-based company Datagrid has been given resource consent to develop a new $3.5 billion data centre in Southland.
The 78,000 square metre factory in Makarewa would use 280 megawatts of power, making it the second-largest electricity user behind the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter.
Its consents would include the ability to draw more than 600,000 litres of groundwater every day, although Datagrid has been adamant it will not use any groundwater, preferring Invercargill's naturally cool air temperatures, and rainwater when needed.
Mercury Energy has recently announced a $53 million investment for a 12.7 percent minority equity stake in Datagrid NZ , following the signing of a 140 megawatt power purchase agreement in March.
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