No special carve-out for states using fossil fuel to power datacentres, Chris Bowen insists, despite new conditions

Energy minister says states can apply to use coal and gas supply to power datacentres but must prove it is cheaper than renewablesChris Bowen insists federal Labor’s new national laws on datacentre power supply will not include carve-outs for Queensland and the Northern Territory, with states that are eager to use coal and gas required to make their case to the national regulator.The energy minister told Guardian Australia on Friday the only concession agreed at Wednesday’s meeting of national cabinet was that existing coal and gas supply could be used on the condition it could be shown to be cheaper than renewables. Continue reading…