1、Australias Digital Infrastructure Challenge:Can data centres unlock sustainable long-term growth?May 2026 BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP about this reportAI is driving an unprecedented surge in demand for computing power and the data centres that underpin it.Deploying new applications,managing growing data
2、 volumes and building new models all depend on reliable,large-scale digital infrastructure.In this report,we explore the role that digital infrastructure could play in Australias future economic development.We examine the growth of the global data centre market,Australias competitive position,and th
3、e opportunities associated with a thriving domestic digital infrastructure sector.We also consider the emerging challenges,system constraints and trade-offs that are becoming more pronounced as demand for computing capacity accelerates both locally and globally.This report draws on BCG experience,an
4、alysis and frameworks,including interviews with over 20 senior digital infrastructure executives and a survey with senior executives across relevant industries.1DATA CENTRES AS STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTUREBOSTON CONSULTING GROUP Executive summaryAs generative AI accelerates and new applications scale ra
5、pidly,global demand for computing power is still outpacing supply,even though computing capacity is expected to be 2.5X by 2030.Australia is already one of the largest data centre locations in Asia Pacific,with approximately 1.8 GW of installed capacity in 2025 and the potential to capture even more
6、 growth and associated investment.Australias renewable energy potential,strong subsea connectivity,and stable and secure political,business and regulatory environment provide the foundations for a thriving data centre destination that addresses secure sovereign needs and can meet both Asia Pacific a