By Sam Parry

ABC Rural

Topic: Data Centers

Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 7:30 am

Murranji Station is south of Daly Waters in the Northern Territory.

In short:

A big data center has been proposed for Murranji Station by Energy North.

The NT government knows of 12 groups that want to build data centers.

What's next?

Energy North's plan is with the federal environmental regulator for public comment.

A big data center campus is proposed for a Northern Territory cattle station.

The 19,150-hectare Project Ares would be built on Murranji Station with 90 hectares of data halls.

Minister Robyn Cahill said 12 groups are looking at the Territory for data centers.

The Northern Territory is a focus for digital development in the region.

Murranji Station was sold with 20,000 cattle last year.

Minister Cahill said the NT is a good alternative to traditional hubs.

The Northern Territory can be Australia's digital gateway to Asia.

Darwin has the lowest-latency connection to Southeast Asia.

Global demand for AI and data infrastructure is growing.

The Territory can capture this opportunity.

The department is talking to 12 investors about data center projects.

Project Ares has been submitted for public comment.

Murranji is a cattle station with 447,500 hectares.

Water is needed for the project.

The data center could operate for 25 years with 1 gigawatt capacity.

Energy North is an Australian company that develops renewable energy and digital infrastructure.

The Murranji site is suitable due to its location and sunlight.

The site has some environmental damage from cattle activities.

Project Ares will be powered by gas and renewable energy.

The solar power infrastructure will be 6,000-7,000 hectares.

A digital image of Project Ares is on the Energy North website.

Water will come from the Montejinni Limestone Aquifer.

The data center will use no more than 4 gigalitres of water per year.

Gas-fired electricity will provide backup power.

Rail infrastructure and a sealed airstrip will be built.

Energy North will work with traditional owners and neighbors.

Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 7:30 am

Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 9:33 am

See more ABC coverage.

Promotion

Practice Listening