Exclusive-Australian outback data centre pulls timeline after regulator stalls

An Australian data center developer, Energy North, has scrapped its target start date for a massive project after a regulator extended the timeline for setting environmental parameters. The company had initially planned to complete the $7 trillion AI investment goal by June 28, 2028, but the decision to delay was made after the Northern Territory environment regulator suspended its seven-week deadline in October.

The developer stated that the June 2028 date was an indicative schedule and they are no longer working to it. The project, which would be the largest in Australia, is being developed on a cattle ranch in the remote north, 683 km from the nearest city. The Northern Territory is trying to position itself as a fast-track destination for AI investment, but the project's delay highlights the challenges faced by data center developers even in isolated regions.