How AI is draining Australia’s green power

<p>In 2019, a new venture in the Australian outback looked set to export our solar power to the world &ndash; upending our neighbours&rsquo; reliance on fossil fuels.</p> <p>Backed by the billionaires Mike Cannon-Brookes and Andrew Forrest &ndash; Sun Cable was supposed to be Australia&rsquo;s largest ever renewable energy project, transporting electricity to Singapore via 4,300 kilometres of sea cable.</p> <p>It was meant to show what a different future could look like &ndash; one where Australia could export massive amounts of renewable power. But now, that future is being overtaken by something else entirely.</p> <p>As big tech converges on Australia to build data centres for AI, there&rsquo;s a fight over how to use our renewable energy &ndash; and big tech is winning.</p> <p>Today, writer and senior research associate with the Australia Institute, Ketan Joshi, on how Australia&rsquo;s AI push is colliding with the energy transition &mdash; and what it means for our emissions, our power grid, and the dream of becoming a clean energy exporter.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>If you enjoy <em>7am</em>, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Socials:</strong><strong> </strong>Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a></p> <p><strong>Guest:</strong> Senior Research Associate with the Australia Institute, Ketan Joshi</p> <p><strong>Photo:&nbsp;</strong>AAP Image/Lukas Coch</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>