Our hydro deserves better than a chatbot
The Tasmanian Greens have called for an urgent parliamentary inquiry into AI data centres being built in northern Tasmania, citing a lack of regulations and public oversight. Energy Minister Nick Duigan confirmed that Firmus plans to draw 400–500 MW across two or three sites, surpassing Bell Bay Aluminium's 335 MW as the state's largest single power user.
Background
Tasmania is the southernmost Australian state, known for abundant hydroelectric power. The Tasmanian Greens are a minor political party focused on environmental issues. Firmus is a data-centre company proposing large "AI factory" facilities in northern Tasmania. Bell Bay Aluminium is the state's largest existing power consumer (335 MW). The core issue: Tasmania's cheap, renewable hydropower is being courted by energy-hungry AI data centres, which could strain the grid and raise prices for residents. Critics argue these deals have been struck without public consultation or specific regulations, and question whether it's wise to dedicate scarce clean energy to computing tasks rather than household or manufacturing use.