Macquarie’s IC3 Super West data centre gets green light

Macquarie Data Centres, a division of Macquarie Technology Group, has been given the green light by the Independent Planning Commission NSW to build its new data centre, IC3 Super West, in Sydney.

The new data centre will house the power and cooling requirements of AI and cloud tech plus utilise processes like liquid cooling technologies.

It will also take the group’s total data centre IT load to around 63 megawatts.

Approval from the Independent Planning Commission NSW will now see the group move forward with the construction of a third data centre at the Macquarie Park Data Centre Campus.  

Selected early works are already underway at the site with the commencement of stage 1 construction still subject to board approval.

David Tudehope CEO and founder of Macquarie Technology Group said, “AI is the next significant megatrend for data centres and the digital economy, driving higher power density and demand for greater capacity. 

“IC3 Super West represents the next phase of growth for Macquarie Data Centres as we become the secure and sovereign home of hyperscalers, cloud and AI customers in Australia,” Tudehope said. 

David Hirst, group executive of Macquarie Data Centres said it’s intended the IC3 Super West will “be certified strategic by the Australian federal government making it a secure and future-proofed choice for customers who want to do business in Australia.”

Hirst’s comments follow as the government announced its new cyber security strategy back in November, aimed at strengthening the nation’s cyber security. 

He has also previously spoken to Digital Nation about sustainable strategies organisations can use to soften costs associated with the extra energy consumed from increased AI usage.  

At the time Hirst said, “Data centres are the most efficient place for an AI to live, it's able to provide big power and big cooling for AI.”

“Although it consumes a significant amount of power and a significant amount of cooling, the benefits are immense,” Hirst said.