ABC late to the party at reporting this tonight. It's been out for days.
Data centres already consume about 5% of all electricity. This is expected to rise 10-15% pa., possibly more with AI and digital currency etc. to probably exceed 15% of all power consumed/required.
The critical thing is that these centres along with hospitals, police and essential services ate require 1100% power certainty 24/7/365 days of the year. It's impossible now and in the future for that to occur.
Renewables have their obvious limitations and the only alternatives for sufficient reliable base load power for Australia is either coal or nuclear.
This fact should be abundantly clear to any sane person.
With Bowen's rush to extinguish coal, the latter option is an absolute must for Australia.
