호주 데이터센터들이 빠르게 확장되고 있으며, 다른 산업들과 전력을 놓고 경쟁하면서 전력망에 부담을 주기 시작하고 있다.

Australia ranks as the world's third-largest data centre investment destination, with a $155 billion pipeline creating approximately 400,000 jobs and capacity projected to grow 13-fold to over 16 GW by 2035.

**Data centre demand and industrial warehouse growth**

The construction and operation of data centres is creating tangible demand across the industrial sector. Manufacturers, importers, and wholesalers supplying specialized components—from advanced cooling systems to IT cabling infrastructure—are actively seeking warehouse space near major data centre developments. Over the past year, construction sector gross take-up reached 177,800 square metres, representing 4.2% of total gross take-up, the highest proportion recorded since 2013 and nearly double the ten-year average of 2.2%. According to Nathan Bingham, Head of Logistics and Industrial for Australia & New Zealand at JLL: "Emergent demand from digital infrastructure is becoming an important part of the Australian occupier demand story. This, coupled with the construction sector activity that's supporting data centre construction, is expected to boost gross take-up over the medium term."

**Land premium pressures and development feasibility**

Data centre developers are competing directly with traditional industrial developers for large land parcels, paying premiums of 20.4% to 63.3% above market values in outer suburban locations and up to 182.1% in South Sydney. This competition is driving sharp increases in land values for two-to-five-hectare sites. In Sydney's Outer Central West, 2–5 hectare land values grew 9.6% year-over-year compared to 2.5% for 1-hectare lots, while Melbourne West saw corresponding growth of 16.5% and 4.4%.

These escalating land costs create material impacts on development feasibility. Economic rents for modern industrial warehousing are already 30%–42% above current average prime net face rents across the Sydney market, with gaps between asking and economic rents even more pronounced in other Australian markets (approximately 64%–102%). In JLL Research's highest scenario modelling, economic rents could exceed current market rents by over 150% in some markets by 2028 if data centre developers continue paying premiums for industrial development land.

**Energy consumption and sustainability challenges**

Data centres place extraordinary demands on energy and water resources. A single 1 MW data centre consumes electricity equivalent to 360 × 20,000 square metre warehouses, 40 × 50,000 square metre shopping centres, or 440 × 10,000 square metre office towers. Approximately 64% of Australia's electricity remains fossil fuel-generated, raising critical questions about long-term sustainability and grid capacity.

Progressive solutions are emerging to address these constraints. On-site renewable power generation, advanced immersion cooling technologies, and government legislation mandating energy efficiency are beginning to take effect. Regional locations offering greater land availability and renewable energy resources may become increasingly attractive for both data centre and industrial development.

**Strategic outlook**

For industrial investors, developers, and occupiers, adaptation will be essential. The data centre boom presents genuine opportunities through increased occupier demand and potential diversification into digital infrastructure assets. Yet it simultaneously requires careful navigation of intensifying land competition, rising development costs, and evolving infrastructure availability. Success will depend on strategic location planning, sustainability integration, and a clear understanding of how these two sectors will continue to intersect and influence one another in the years ahead.