Datagrid begins work on Southland site, completion expected this year
The country's largest data centre will be located on a 49ha Makarewa site.
Datagrid, a Singapore-based company, has commenced construction work on its largest data centre site in Makarewa, North of Invercargill, marking a significant milestone for the project. The New Zealand-based subsidiary of VINCI Construction, HEB Construction, has been entrusted with the building tasks. The works involve constructing a new access road linking the data centre to State Highway 98 and upgrading existing roads.
Excavation of topsoil will also take place to construct a six-metre-high bund, which the company claims will mitigate noise pollution for the local community. The foundation platform for the future AI data centre, cable landing station, and power substation are projected to be completed by year-end. Rémi Galasso, Datagrid NZ's chief executive, acknowledged the project timeline as ambitious.
Datagrid aims to demonstrate New Zealand's capability to become a global leader in the data centre industry. However, the $3.5 billion project has drawn criticism from opponents concerned about its environmental impact, water consumption, and noise pollution. A recent meeting, organized by the Southland Sustainable Resource Coalition, saw hundreds of people raise their concerns.
Another community gathering is scheduled for this week, with the group urging some resource consents to be revoked, citing concerns over unverified claims and insufficient details in Datagrid's proposal.
Written by urgent.news from RNZ Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
