IREN Limited (NASDAQ:IREN) has taken a major step forward in its artificial intelligence infrastructure strategy after signing a transmission connection agreement for a planned 800MW data center campus in South Australia.
The project marks the company’s first publicly announced data center development in Australia and significantly expands its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region.
Bundey Campus Positioned for Large-Scale Growth
The new facility will be located in Bundey, approximately 78 miles northeast of Adelaide.
Under the agreement, IREN has secured access to a high-voltage transmission connection at a nearby utility substation. The site benefits from four 330kV feeder exits capable of supporting up to 800MW of power capacity without the need for additional network upgrades.
The arrangement provides the company with a scalable platform to support future AI and cloud infrastructure expansion.
Energization Targeted for 2028
IREN expects the campus to begin receiving power from 2028.
In the meantime, the company plans to move forward with preliminary construction activities, equipment procurement and the regulatory approval process necessary to advance the project.
Management views the development as a long-term strategic investment aimed at meeting growing demand for AI computing infrastructure across the region.
Economic Benefits for South Australia
The project is expected to generate substantial employment opportunities during both the construction and operational phases.
According to the company, more than 500 jobs are anticipated during construction, while the completed campus could support over 200 ongoing skilled positions.
The development is also expected to contribute to South Australia’s growing reputation as a destination for advanced technology and digital infrastructure investment.
Strategic Connectivity Supports Regional AI Demand
A key advantage of the Bundey site is its access to submarine fiber-optic connectivity linking Australia with major Asia-Pacific markets, including Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan.
The connectivity infrastructure is expected to support low-latency access to regional customers and strengthen the campus’s appeal as a location for large-scale AI computing operations.
In addition, South Australia is targeting 100% net renewable electricity generation by 2027, providing access to significant clean-energy resources for future data center operations.
Management Highlights Energy and Connectivity Advantages
Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer Daniel Roberts emphasized the strategic benefits of the location.
“South Australia offers what AI infrastructure at scale requires: abundant clean energy, the connectivity to serve the APAC region, and a State Government that understands the opportunity and is acting on it,” said Daniel Roberts, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of IREN.
Government Welcomes Major Investment
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas described the project as a significant investment for the state, highlighting its potential to create jobs and strengthen South Australia’s standing as a technology hub within the Asia-Pacific region.
The development aligns with broader efforts to attract digital infrastructure projects and capitalize on growing demand for AI-related computing capacity.
Expanding Global AI Infrastructure Platform
IREN operates as a vertically integrated AI cloud infrastructure provider, delivering large-scale data centers and GPU computing clusters used for artificial intelligence training and inference workloads.
The company currently maintains operations across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, with the Bundey project representing another significant step in its strategy to build global AI infrastructure at scale.