Data center and cloud firm Iren has unveiled plans to develop a 900MW data center campus near Wagga Wagga in regional New South Wales, marking a significant expansion of its infrastructure ambitions in Australia. The proposed project, named Redbank, is currently in its early assessment phase, with the company working toward securing a grid connection beginning in 2029. The campus could attract more than AU$10 billion (US$7 billion) in investment, underscoring the scale of the undertaking and its potential impact on the region.
Wagga Wagga is a city in the Riverina region of New South Wales, located approximately 455 kilometers (283 miles) southwest of Sydney and more than 230 kilometers (143 miles) west of Canberra. According to a dedicated project website, the proposed campus site sits west of the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre on land that already hosts existing transmission infrastructure. Site renderings indicate at least four buildings of varying sizes alongside an on-site substation, suggesting a substantial buildout footprint.
The grid-connected project would see Iren fund transmission costs and contract new renewable energy and storage capacity to cover its power needs. The campus would also feature a closed-loop cooling system designed to reduce water consumption, addressing growing industry concerns around resource efficiency in data center operations. Iren noted that the Redbank project is not included in its previously announced 5GW secured-power portfolio, positioning it as an additional growth vector beyond its existing pipeline.
“Redbank has the potential to create local jobs and economic stimulus as well as community benefits for the Wagga Wagga area,” the company said, highlighting the anticipated regional economic impact of the development.
The announcement places Iren in direct proximity to other data center operators eyeing the Wagga Wagga area. Leading Edge DC, an Australian edge data center firm, already operates a small facility in the city, while CDC is also looking to develop in the region with plans for a gigawatt-scale campus. The clustering of major infrastructure proposals signals growing recognition of the area's strategic advantages, including existing transmission infrastructure and available land.
Founded in 2019, Iren has built a portfolio of crypto and AI sites across Canada and the United States. The company operates approximately 23,000 GPUs, with Microsoft as a major customer. Its data center sites are live and in development across Texas (Childress, Sweetwater), Oklahoma (Kiowa), and British Columbia in Canada (Mackenzie, Prince George, and Canal Flats). The company recently acquired Spanish data center developer Nostrum, marking its entry into the European market. Iren is also targeting an 800MW campus in Bundey, South Australia, announced in June, with a grid connection expected around 2028.
The company alluded to a potential expansion into Australia earlier this year when it reported its financial results, with CEO Roberts stating at the time that the opportunity down under was “as significant as anywhere in our portfolio.” The Redbank proposal represents a material step in realizing that vision, though it remains subject to assessment and grid connection approvals. If realized, the 900MW campus would rank among the largest data center developments in Australia and would significantly expand Iren's global footprint beyond North America and Europe.