Under public and political pressure, the National Party has conceded that regulations are needed for new AI data centres, but their proposal falls far short of what communities around the country are demanding - and could create new problems.
“The National Party seem to have woken up to the need to regulate data centres being consented under their nose. Unfortunately, their ‘solution’ could create entirely new problems,” says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.
“While originally arguing we should have these data centres because of our renewable energy capacity, Christopher Luxon’s announcement today is intentionally silent on whether their proposal for new firmed energy is renewable, leaving the door open to more fossil fuels. There’s no way that’s an oversight.
“They’re also still silent on the need for meaningful community engagement as part of the consenting process, or environmental standards for their water use.”
"The already consented Datagrid hyperscale AI data centre in Southland will be the second largest user of electricity in the country – the equivalent of Hamilton city.”
“It will have 84 emergency generators, each with a 10,000 litre diesel tank, and a 15m high exhaust stack. Luxon is leaving the door open for future centres to be powered by climate warming fossil fuels like gas and coal. Every which way you look at it, National is trying to sell off our future.”
"New Zealanders deserve a responsible Government that develops responsible regulations around hyperscale AI data centres. If these things are going to be built in our country, they should actually benefit our country. That’s pretty bloody common sense," Swarbrick says.
