NSW is emerging as the engine room of Australia’s digital economy. As the nation’s largest data centre market, and as demand for AI and cloud computing surges, the state has a unique opportunity to drive growth, jobs, innovation and global investment in digital infrastructure.

Join CEDA for a keynote from Minister Anoulack Chanthivong and a panel of industry leaders to examine how new energy, water and planning settings are reshaping the economics of data centres and what it will take for NSW to secure its digital future.

Key themes:

• Energy: Turning access to power into an economic advantage by accelerating investment in renewables, grid upgrades and storage.

• Cooling: Water use, transparency and social licence, including investment in recycled water and new technologies.

• Planning: Unlocking faster approvals, precincts and co-location innovation, community engagement, environmental considerations.

• Workforce: Creating sustained demand for skilled trades, engineers, digital specialists, building a pipeline of future-focused roles for both local employment and global competitiveness.

• Digital infrastructure: Core economic enabler to sectors including AI and cloud computing, advanced manufacturing, health, finance, defence, logistics and government services. 

• Investment: Data centres as NSW’s next cornerstone asset class, unlocking private capital.

• Global and export opportunities: Software and digital services, data capability, design and engineering, energy solutions, cooling technologies.

• Asia-Pacific digital economy: With proximity to Asia, strong connectivity and regulatory stability, NSW is well-placed to service regional demand for AI, cloud and sovereign data, opening up opportunity for regional growth, cross-border investment and international partnerships.

• “Sustainable by design”: How leadership in next-generation infrastructure can shape customer choice, investment and reputation, turning sustainability into commercial advantage.