Allens has joined forces with leading voices in the Australian data centre sector with affiliate membership of Data Centres Australia.
Through its membership, Allens will share its market-leading expertise to support Data Centres Australia’s goal of making Australia a leader in technology innovation and sustainable data centre development.
The announcement follows Allens’ advice across the full lifecycle of Australia’s largest and most complex data centre developments, with the firm having recently advised:
- Stockland on its capital partnership with data centre operator EdgeConneX to develop, own and operate an Australian portfolio of data centres, and on grid connections;
- Global investment group La Caisse on its $1.7 billion commitment in hybrid securities issued by NEXTDC Limited, Australia’s largest listed data centre developer;
- Keppel on its proposed development of a 720MW data centre campus on a 123-hectare site near Victoria’s former Hazelwood power station, including advising on development and acquisition rights and power and network connections;
- Blackstone on AI infrastructure company Firmus’ US$10 billion debt financing facility for the Project Southgate GPU deployment;
- IREN on the Australian law aspects of US$3.85bn of convertible senior notes across multiple issuances;
- IREN on its transmission connection agreement and other matters for its first Australian data centre campus, a planned 800MW campus in Bundey, South Australia;
- CDC Data Centres on raising $1.7 billion in the Australian debt capital markets, comprised of a $1 billion first rated corporate hybrid (the first issued by a data centre operator in the AMTN market) and a $700m dual-tranche senior secured debt issuance; and
- data centre developers, network service providers, and energy retailers on regulatory requirements under the NER specific to data centres, including in relation to Transmission Use of System Charges and connection configurations.
Partner David Donnelly said: ‘Australia stands at a crossroads in its development of data centres as both essential national infrastructure and an opportunity to attract global investment. We are delighted to work with Data Centres Australia as our nation works towards one of the greatest infrastructure opportunities in a generation.’
Partner Gavin Smith said: ‘Data centre and AI Infrastructure development is driving significant investment, jobs and strategic capability across our economy. By joining forces with other leading organisations in this space, we hope to assist in influencing national reform to improve planning certainty and support the continued wave of global investment into our economy.’
Data Centres Australia is the peak representative body for data centres in Australia. Together with its members, it works collaboratively with government and stakeholders to raise awareness and advance effective and sustainable data centre development.
