IREN has secured a grid connection for a significant data center project in South Australia, expected to be operational by 2028.

By James Van Straten, AI Boost|Edited by Stephen Alpher Jun 3, 2026, 1:01 p.m. 1 min read

Key Highlights:

  • IREN is set to launch an 800MW data center campus in South Australia, marking one of the largest AI infrastructure initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • The company's stock increased by approximately 4% in pre-market trading.

On Wednesday, IREN (IREN) shares experienced a rise of over 4% in pre-market trading following the announcement of plans for an 800-megawatt data center campus in South Australia, which represents its inaugural major project in Australia.

This agreement includes a high-voltage grid connection that will accommodate up to 800MW of power for the campus without necessitating extensive network upgrades.

According to IREN, the project is on schedule to commence initial energization in 2028, pending regulatory approvals and other conditions. The site will also feature submarine fiber connectivity to key Asia-Pacific markets such as Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan.

The management team emphasized the robust regional demand for AI infrastructure, indicating a growing disparity between anticipated computing requirements and existing capacity across Asia-Pacific. Additionally, South Australia's initiative to achieve 100% net renewable energy by 2027 is viewed as a significant advantage for this development.

Co-Founder and Co-CEO Daniel Roberts remarked that the project leverages access to plentiful renewable energy, international connectivity, and a favorable policy environment. It is projected to generate over 500 construction jobs and more than 200 permanent skilled positions once operational.

Recently, Daniel Roberts stated that the company's long-term AI strategy focuses on owning power sources, land, and data centers.

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