Campus capacity
800 MWConfirmed by IREN
Independent project intelligence · Updated 26 Aug 2026
IREN Bundey
Data Centre Campus
A public-source view of the proposed AI infrastructure campus and the energy system that must make it possible.
800MWPlanned campus load
2028Target first energisation
125kmNorth-east of Adelaide
700+Construction + ongoing jobs
PROJECT STATUSConnection agreement signedDevelopment application not yet publicly lodged
Explore the snapshot ↓01 / Project snapshot
Compute meets
clean energy.
IREN has selected Bundey for its first announced Australian data centre campus—one of the largest proposed in the Asia-Pacific region.
The site sits beside the new Bundey substation on Project EnergyConnect. It offers access to a high-capacity transmission backbone, a growing renewable-energy zone and international fibre connectivity. The connection is real; the final campus design, construction model, customer mix and energy procurement structure are not yet public.
Read IREN’s announcement ↗Confirmed parameters
Confirmed Reported / pendingGrid interface
Four 330 kV feeder exitsReported by IREN
Energisation
From 2028Target, not completion date
Connectivity
Submarine fibre to APAC marketsRoute details undisclosed
Employment
500+ construction / 200+ ongoingIREN estimate
Cooling
Closed-loop coolant systemOngoing water use said to be nil
02 / Two linked systems
One project.
Two delivery tests.
The former “Data Centre / Power Systems” split is reframed as Compute Campus and Energy & Utilities: clearer language for both technical and public audiences.
A
COMPUTE CAMPUS
The digital infrastructure
Hyperscale halls, AI compute, cooling, fibre, security and campus delivery.
- Scale: 800 MW planned campus capacity
- Market: regional and global AI workloads
- Cooling: sealed closed-loop design reported
- Open: phases, PUE, vendors, customer contracts
B
ENERGY & UTILITIES
The enabling infrastructure
Grid connection, firmed renewable supply, water, backup generation and network impact.
- Connection: Bundey 275/330 kV substation
- Capacity: four 330 kV feeder exits reported
- Policy: new renewables + firming under scrutiny
- Open: who funds, owns, builds and operates supply
ADELAIDEBUNDEY≈125 KM / MID NORTH SA
03 / Why Bundey
Grid-adjacent.
Regionally connected.
Bundey is a rural locality between the Burra and Morgan districts, approximately 125 km north-east of Adelaide. Its strategic advantage is infrastructure rather than population density.
01Direct access to the new Bundey substation and Project EnergyConnect
02Proximity to Mid North and Riverland renewable development zones
03Flat land, scalable footprint and distance from metropolitan constraints
04Fibre routes connecting Australia to major Asia-Pacific markets
04 / Energy pathway
Connection secured.
Supply model unresolved.
Important distinction: an 800 MW transmission connection is not, by itself, proof of 800 MW of new renewable generation or firming.
01Renewable generationExisting + proposed projects
→02Firming & storageBESS / dispatchable capacity
→03Bundey substation275 / 330 kV interface
→04Compute campusUp to 800 MW load
Nearby / enabling projectPublic statusRelationship to IREN
Project EnergyConnect + Bundey substationBuilt / commissioned progressivelyDirect grid interface; connection agreement confirmedSolar River — 230 MW solar + up to 2,048 MWh BESSApproved / progressingPotential regional supply; no disclosed IREN contractBundey BESS & SolarProposed staged developmentNearby project; no disclosed IREN relationship05 / Environment & community
Track the questions,
not just the claims.
Closed loop, but detail matters
IREN says coolant will circulate in a sealed system with no ongoing water consumption. Still to verify: initial fill volume, heat rejection method, potable-water needs and emergency operations.
Community reporting ↗Net renewable is a system question
Track the additional generation, firming, certificates, network services and demand flexibility required to offset the new load without transferring cost or reliability risk.
AEMC policy advice ↗Assessment pathway emerging
The SA Technical Regulator assesses data centres at or above 100 MW. Planning, native vegetation, biodiversity, noise, visual amenity and emergency-power impacts remain relevant.
Regulator guidance ↗06 / Rolling timeline
IREN lists on Nasdaq as Iris Energy
Company milestoneProject EnergyConnect and the new Bundey 275/330 kV substation advance
Enabling infrastructureIREN announces signed transmission connection agreement
ConfirmedCommunity scrutiny rises around water, energy and approvals
Public debateTarget commencement of campus energisation
Forward target07 / Who is IREN
From Bitcoin
to AI infrastructure.
Founded in Sydney in 2018 by brothers Daniel and Will Roberts, the company began as Iris Energy, building renewable-powered Bitcoin mining operations. It listed on Nasdaq in 2021 and rebranded as IREN in 2024 as it expanded into AI cloud and data centres.
NASDAQ IRENLEADERSHIP Daniel Roberts & Will Roberts, co-CEOsOWNERSHIP Publicly traded; founders retain significant influenceBUNDEY TEAM No dedicated IREN project team publicly named
08 / Latest project coverage
Signal, compacted.
Short summaries link to the original record. Inclusion does not imply endorsement.
PROJECT
IREN confirms planned 800 MW Bundey campus
Transmission connection secured; first energisation targeted from 2028.
Read source ↗ENVIRONMENT
Water concerns surface in local reporting
IREN says the campus will use a sealed, closed-loop cooling system with no ongoing water consumption.
Read source ↗APPROVALS
Development application yet to be lodged
Reporting highlights local support for jobs alongside unanswered planning and infrastructure questions.
Read source ↗09 / Editorial monitoring
A controlled update workflow.
This first release defines the monitoring model. Live scheduled scanning needs source connectors and will be activated separately.
Open restricted briefing ↗Source monitorWORKFLOW PREVIEW
Project announcementsManual approval
REVIEWEnergy & gridAuto-publish confirmed facts
AUTOEnvironment & communityManual approval
REVIEWMarket & companyAuto-publish links only
AUTOPlanned: preset weekly scan · manual trigger · retain / reject queue · change log · source confidence.