Tamboran Resources is moving forward with its ambitious plan to develop a $5 billion natural gas-powered data center in Australia’s Northern Territory, offering difficult infrastructure for defense operations, including those at the Pine Gap facility. The company plans to use natural gas from its Beetaloo Basin reserves to power this data center, positioning it as a key player in the growing intersection of energy and digital data center infrastructure. With this initiative, Tamboran aims to cater to the increasing demand for secure data services from the U.S. and Australian defense sectors. The company has engaged with highly reputed political figures to support the project, signaling its potential strategic importance.
The proposal is backed by Liberty Energy, and its CEO, Chris Wright, has strong political connections, with his recent appointment as the U.S. Energy Secretary. This connection could help in getting U.S. government involvement, particularly as the project aligns with broader energy and security goals. Tamboran’s plan is expected to leverage natural gas as a cleaner alternative to traditional power sources for data centers, which are known for their significant energy consumption. With significant backing and political engagement, the project could pave the way for further investments in natural gas-powered data infrastructure, with both commercial and defense applications at the forefront.
The Tamboran Resources pitches $5bn natural-gas powered data center for US and Aussie defense agencies
Tamboran Resources has proposed a $5 billion natural gas-powered data center in Australia’s Northern Territory to support US and Australian defense agencies. The facility will use gas from the Betalu Basin reserve.
CEO Joel Riddle has met with US government officials to secure investment for the project. The data center could provide defense facilities such as Pine Gap, a joint US-Australian satellite and surveillance base.
Tamboran is backed by Liberty Energy, whose CEO, Chris Wright, was recently appointed US energy secretary. This political relationship could influence the project’s trajectory, especially in light of the current administration’s emphasis on boosting fossil fuel production.
ExxonMobil plots natural gas power plants to exclusively power data centers
ExxonMobil is moving forward with plans to build its most important gas-powered engine plant dedicated to powering data centers. The office is supposed to create in excess of 1,500 MW and will utilize carbon capture and storage (CCS) innovation to catch over 90% of CO₂ discharges. This project marks ExxonMobil’s strategic move into the power or energy generation industry, meaning to meet the developing energy need of data centers, which are expected to use up to 9% of U.S. electricity by 2030.
The company has secured land for the project near an existing CO₂ pipeline network along the Gulf Coast, which facilitates efficient transportation and storage of the captured carbon. By choosing not to connect the plant to the public power grid, ExxonMobil aims to expedite permitting and construction. The move aligns with the company’s broader strategy to spends amount $30 billion in low-emission energy projects by 2030, demonstrating its commitment to supporting the technology industry’s growing energy needs while addressing environmental concerns.
Gas hopeful Tamboran pitches Trump on $8b Outback data center plan
Tamboran Resources’ $8 billion proposal for an Outback data center aims to power critical defense infrastructure, including the Pine Gap facility, a key U.S.-Australian intelligence base. The project would leverage natural gas from the Beetaloo Basin, which Tamboran controls, and is designed to meet the growing energy needs of defense operations while providing a secure data storage and processing solution. The plan positions the data center as a key strategic asset for both U.S. and Australian defense agencies, particularly with rising concerns about cybersecurity and the increasing demand for digital infrastructure.
CEO Joel Riddle has personally pitched the project to high-ranking U.S. officials, including those involved in national security, to secure backing for the initiative. With political ties to the U.S. administration, particularly through Chris Wright, the CEO of Liberty Energy (which backs Tamboran), the company is hopeful the project will gain significant traction. Wright’s recent appointment as the U.S. Energy Secretary may further facilitate the project’s realization, potentially boosting the project’s viability amid the U.S.’s ongoing efforts to expand its energy independence and secure critical infrastructure.
An on-site natural gas plant will help power Stargate’s first developed data center, public filings show
The Stargate project a big effort to power AI infrastructure, has uncovered plans for an on-location gaseous petrol plant to supply power to its first data center in Abilene, Texas. The plant, with a capacity of 360.5 megawatts, will use natural gas turbines to offer both primary and backup power. This is part of a larger $500 billion AI infrastructure effort, backed by major companies like OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank. The turbines will be supplied by GE Vernova and Solar Turbines, and the power generated will support the growing energy demands of AI applications, which are projected to triple by 2028.
While the natural gas plant will supply a significant portion of the energy needs, it will only provide a fraction of the 15 gigawatts required for the entire Stargate project. Additional power will come from a substation built by Lancium, with plans for future expansion. The project is expected to create significant economic benefits and support the growing demand for data processing in AI, including sectors like healthcare and climate modeling. The move underscores the necessity of reliable power sources to meet the energy demands of hyperscale data centers.
