The AI infrastructure wave is sweeping towards Australia: NVIDIA partners with Firmus to build a data center for $2.9 billion

Wallstreetcn
2025.10.16 08:10
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The investment scale of the project named "Project Southgate" reaches AUD 4.5 billion (approximately USD 2.9 billion). Firmus stated in a statement that these facilities will use NVIDIA GB300 chips. Firmus mentioned that by 2028, the project may expand to use 1.6 gigawatts of power, with a total investment reaching AUD 73.3 billion. This capacity is equivalent to about 5% of Australia's total installed capacity

NVIDIA is partnering with Australian startup Firmus Technologies to build a large-scale renewable energy-driven artificial intelligence data center cluster in the country, marking the extension of the global AI infrastructure race to the Southern Hemisphere.

According to media reports on Thursday, the investment for this project, named "Project Southgate," amounts to AUD 4.5 billion (approximately USD 2.9 billion), with the first two data centers already under construction in Melbourne and Tasmania. Firmus stated in a press release that these facilities will utilize NVIDIA's GB300 chips and are expected to be operational by April.

The long-term planning for the project is even more ambitious, with Firmus indicating that by 2028, the project could expand to use 1.6 gigawatts of power, with a total investment reaching AUD 73.3 billion. This will drive the development of 5.1 billion watts of new wind, solar, and hydroelectric capacity.

This capacity is equivalent to about 5% of Australia's total installed capacity, highlighting the profound impact of AI infrastructure on the energy system.

Initial Phase of the Project Has Started Construction, Long-term Expansion Aiming for Trillions in Investment

The first phase of "Project Southgate" will deploy 150 megawatts of power capacity. Firmus confirmed in a statement that the two data centers in Melbourne and Tasmania have entered the construction phase, utilizing NVIDIA's latest GB300 chip technology. According to plan, these facilities will be operational by April this year.

The AUD 4.5 billion initial investment will be entirely used for the construction of infrastructure powered by renewable energy, reflecting the priority given by tech companies to clean power under the pressure of energy transition.

The long-term vision of the project shows greater ambition. Firmus stated that if pushed to maximum scale, the project's power usage could reach 1.6 gigawatts by 2028, with corresponding infrastructure investment climbing to AUD 73.3 billion.

This expansion will directly stimulate the development of renewable energy. The company stated that the project will support the construction of 5.1 billion watts of new wind, solar, and hydroelectric capacity. According to statistics from Bloomberg New Energy Finance, this is equivalent to about 5% of Australia's current total installed capacity, meaning a single AI project could reshape the country's power supply landscape

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