Morwell in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley could become home to one of Australia’s largest artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure developments, with global technology giant Meta reportedly in discussions with Singapore-based infrastructure company Keppel over a potential $11 billion data centre project.
The proposed development represents a potentially transformative investment for regional Victoria, bringing together Keppel’s expertise in data centre development and operations with Meta’s enormous global computing requirements to support its platforms, digital services and rapidly expanding artificial intelligence capabilities.
The project is proposed for a 123-hectare industrial site near the former Hazelwood Power Station. Keppel secured the rights to lease the site from Australian infrastructure and energy landowner Lightwood Group, with plans for a staged development offering up to 720 megawatts of power capacity.
The location is particularly attractive because of its access to major electricity transmission infrastructure, existing non-potable water supplies for cooling and high-capacity fibre connectivity linking Melbourne with other major Australian cities.
The potential involvement of Meta would significantly elevate the importance of the development, placing Morwell on the radar of the world’s largest technology companies. Meta operates some of the world’s most widely used digital platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, and is investing heavily in the computing infrastructure required to support artificial intelligence, data processing and next-generation digital services.
An investment of this magnitude could also deliver substantial economic benefits to the Latrobe Valley. Construction would create opportunities for local civil contractors, electrical and mechanical specialists, engineers, equipment suppliers and construction workers. Longer-term employment would extend to data centre operations, technology infrastructure, security and maintenance.
For Morwell, the development represents an opportunity to participate in a new industrial era following the decline of traditional coal-fired electricity generation. The Latrobe Valley has powered Victoria for generations, and its existing energy infrastructure, industrial land and skilled workforce could now provide the foundations for a major digital infrastructure industry.
However, a project of this scale will require careful consideration of electricity supply, water requirements, environmental impacts, planning approvals and community expectations.
While discussions between Meta and Keppel are understood to be ongoing, a successful agreement could establish Morwell as a significant Australian hub for artificial intelligence and hyperscale computing.
The prospect of an $11 billion investment is an extraordinary opportunity for the Latrobe Valley, potentially positioning a traditionally energy-focused regional community at the centre of the global digital economy.
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