{
  "id": 3473291,
  "title": "Queensland allowed to use coal, gas for data centres despite renewable push",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/queensland-allowed-to-use-coal-gas-for-data-centres-despite-renewable",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T09:04:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-26/gun-licences-restricted-to-citizens-data-centre-carve-out/107079926"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Queensland has been granted permission to use gas or coal to power its data centres, despite the federal government's previous push for renewable energy sources. At a meeting of the national cabinet, state and territory leaders agreed to base their data centre construction standards on technology neutrality, rather than renewable energy. Queensland Premier Crisafulli argued that his state's ownership of electricity infrastructure allows it to use a variety of energy sources to power data centres, enabling the state to explore new energy opportunities. The Northern Territory also opposed the renewables focus and has expressed a preference for using gas to power data centre projects. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese justified the apparent backdown on renewables, stating that Queensland and the Northern Territory are in a different position than other states, which warranted the flexibility in the standards. The new data centre construction standards will address issues such as water usage, community consultation, and power prices, but there is ongoing discussion about ensuring data centres do not raise household and business energy costs.",
  "summary": "The state's premier says it is a \"good win\" for his state, which owns much of its own electricity infrastructure, while the federal government had previously demanded states use renewables as a standard.",
  "key_points": [
    "Queensland granted permission to use coal and gas for data centres.",
    "Federal government previously pushed for renewable energy sources.",
    "Premier Crisafulli argues state's ownership of electricity infrastructure."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}