澳联邦助理部长查尔顿警告：数据中心使用煤电或天然气将推高电价

澳大利亚联邦助理部长安德鲁·查尔顿（Andrew Charlton）警告，若人工智能数据中心使用煤电或天然气供电，将与家庭和企业争夺有限能源，推高电价1。他主张新数据中心必须由新增可再生能源项目供电1。

国家内阁会议最终同意昆士兰和北领地可使用煤电和天然气为数据中心供电1。查尔顿提及美国数据中心无序扩张导致美国PJM电网电价上涨超过60%，并造成水压下降等社区影响1。他强调澳大利亚政府需严肃对待公众对数据中心的担忧1。此外，澳大利亚通胀已从四年前的6%以上降至目前的3%左右1。

Assistant Minister Andrew Charlton has cautioned that utilizing coal or natural gas to power AI data centres will increase electricity costs for households and businesses by competing for limited energy supplies 1. He argues that any new data centre facilities must be supported exclusively by newly developed renewable energy projects 1. Despite his stance, the National Cabinet has ultimately agreed to permit data centres in Queensland and the Northern Territory to operate using coal and natural gas power 1.

To illustrate the potential risks, Charlton referenced the PJM grid in the United States, where the unchecked growth of data centres has caused electricity prices to surge by more than 60% and led to community issues such as decreased water pressure 1. He stressed the necessity for the Australian government to seriously address public apprehensions surrounding data centre developments 1. In a broader economic context, Charlton also highlighted that Australia's inflation rate has decreased from above 6% four years ago to approximately 3% at present 1.