Investment Forum | APAC // Roundtable 2B: Investment Opportunities in Australia - How are operators and investors closing the gap between supply and demand?

Australia’s data center market has exploded since the pandemic. According to the latest research, it has expanded by 40 times in 20 years, with two-thirds of this growth coming since 2020. Strong economic fundamentals, rapid digital adoption, and a stable political environment provide long-term certainty, while secure energy grids in key precincts address one of the most critical operational requirements for data centers. Signals show that Australia is starting to fall behind, and a supply gap of between 700MW and 1.7GW could emerge by 2028, despite continued increases in live capacity.

• Which Australian players or deals have shaken up regional market dynamics?
• To what extent will Australia’s “transparent and predictable regulatory environment, the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act, and secure energy grids, support its expansion over the next decade?
• How are investors balancing attractive risk-adjusted returns with the aggressive capital deployment required for greenfield developments, strategic acquisitions, and the pursuit of power-ready sites?
• Which Australian regions are set for significant growth? Are joint ventures set to be a significant feature of market expansion?