The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) has finalised new technical standards governing large electricity loads connecting to the National Electricity Market (NEM).
This is particularly important for Australia’s growing data centre industry.
Key changes:
- A new 30MW threshold applies to large inverter-based loads, including data centres.
- Large facilities must meet technical standards designed to help them remain connected during certain electricity network disturbances.
- Network businesses must assess the combined impact of nearby large loads rather than looking at each connection in isolation.
- AEMO will develop modelling guidance to help assess the impact of these connections.
- The new rules apply immediately, with a six-month transition period for certain advanced connection applicants.
The AEMC estimates data centre electricity consumption could increase from approximately 5TWh currently to 34TWh by 2035.
That would represent approximately 13% of total National Electricity Market consumption.
Power availability is becoming one of the biggest determinants of whether a proposed Australian data centre can actually be delivered.
The new rules will increase the importance of early engagement with electricity network operators, technical connection studies and power system design.
They also reinforce the expectation that large data centre developments must operate in a way that protects the stability of the wider electricity network.
