NEXTDC to build new data centre in Darwin

The Top End is set to get a technological boost with NEXTDC (ASX: NXT) today announcing it is set to build a new data centre in Darwin.

To be named D1, the centre will be a ‘Mission Critical Operations’ facility in the Darwin CBD - putting the Northern Territory on a path to become a hub for digital industries.

“We’re excited to work with NEXTDC to build this world-class data centre in Darwin,” NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner said.

“We want to make the Territory a hub for digital industries and investment, and now we can look forward to building infrastructure that will create new jobs and opportunities, which will support local tradies.”

D1, NEXTDC's 13th data centre in Australia, will expand the company's national network of data centres which the company says will be ideally positioned to support the growing needs of the NT’s digital economy.

It will add to the company's growing portfolio of data centres, which to date includes two in Brisbane, one in Canberra, four in Sydney, three in Melbourne and two in Perth.

The company reported its data centre services revenue grew by $45.3 million to $246.1 million in FY21, up 23 per cent, during a year in which it completed the fitout of its second Sydney data centre (S2) and made headway on the builds of S3 and its second Melbourne facility (M2).

“NEXTDC will work in partnership with the Northern Territory Government to support its vision to establish the Territory as Northern Australia’s leading digital economy and Australia’s digital gateway to Asia,” NEXTDC said.

To support the new centre, Vocus (ASX: VOC) will provide high-capacity connectivity on its Terabit Territory fibre network, as well as being an anchor tenant in the facility.

D1 will also support Vocus’ in-progress fibre infrastructure deployments in Australia’s north, including the Darwin-Jakarta-Singapore cable system and the Project Horizon fibre between Darwin and Perth via Port Hedland.

“We are honoured to have been selected by the Northern Territory Government as its strategic partner to work together to continue to strengthen the Territory’s digital industry,” NEXTDC CEO Craig Scroggie said.

“This digital infrastructure development represents an important investment for the NT, that will further support and accelerate the growth of the northern digital gateway in Australia”.

Shares in NXT are down 0.68 per cent to $11.72 per share at 11.21am AEDT.

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