Anthropic Goes Big in Australia: 2.16 GW Data Center Will Power Claude

Anthropic has secured a lease for a 2.16-GW data center in Queensland, Australia, as part of its expansion of the Claude AI inference infrastructure. The planned Western Downs Digital Park near Dalby could begin construction in 2027 and be built on 725 hectares of farmland. The facility would consist of four data centers, each with roughly 36,000 square meters of floor space.

Anthropic plans to use the site primarily for inference, the computing necessary to respond to user requests for Claude AI models. The project is being developed by Singapore-based Zerra DC, and would rely on air-cooled technology and a closed-loop water system. The move comes as Australia debates the environmental impact and power demands of its growing data center industry.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli called the agreement a "major win," while environmental groups expressed concerns about climate pollution and water usage. The project also highlights the importance of regional AI infrastructure for businesses relying on generative AI services.