Most ministers backed data centre standards, but timing is unresolved
Most Australian energy and climate change ministers backed new rules for large-scale data centres on 28th July 2026.
At the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council meeting on 28th July 2026, every jurisdiction except Queensland and the Northern Territory supported the Commonwealth plan.
The proposed national standards would require new large-scale data centres to underwrite new renewable power supply.
According to the communique, the standards are also meant to stop consumers facing extra price impacts when data centres enter electricity grids.
Ministers also agreed to develop changes to the National Electricity Rules.
Those changes would allow data centres to offset electricity demand with new renewable generation.
The meeting also agreed that a nationally consistent approach to data centre regulation is preferred across Australia.
National Electricity Rules timing
Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie welcomed the support from most states and territories on 28th July 2026.
McKenzie said, “Data centres are coming on line very quickly, so the National Electricity Rules must ensure that they are required to source additional renewable power from the get-go.”
She also urged the Albanese government to legislate quickly because the communique did not settle the timetable.
McKenzie argued that additional renewables are needed to protect consumers from power price spikes and pollution spikes.
The Climate Council response stated that the time frame will be critical because data centres are being added to the grid fast.
Proposed legislation and rule changes are expected to be developed over coming months.
The communique left two key points open: the time frame for the rules and the accepted methods for showing compliance.
Those details will decide how data centres prove they have brought on additional renewable supply.
Queensland and Northern Territory split
Queensland and the Northern Territory were the only governments that did not back the approach on 28th July 2026.
That split left every other Australian energy and climate change minister aligned with the Commonwealth position.
McKenzie said, “Unfortunately, the Queensland and Northern Territory governments continue to put the interests of big tech and fossil fuel corporations first, failing to back strong rules that protect Australians from rising power bills and pollution.”
Her response linked the stance of Queensland and the Northern Territory to higher power bills and higher climate pollution.
McKenzie also warned that Queenslanders and Territorians could pay more unless those two governments join the national approach.
Climate Council response
The Climate Council issued McKenzie’s response after the ECMC communique on 28th July 2026.
Climate Council materials say it provides evidence-based information on climate change impacts and solutions to journalists, policymakers and the wider Australian community.
