Amazon has announced a substantial $13 billion investment to expand its AWS cloud and data center infrastructure in Australia. This investment, scheduled through 2029, represents a record-setting tech investment aimed at enhancing the country’s cloud and AI capabilities. The move is set to support Australia’s digital transformation across various sectors.
In particular, the investment targets the expansion of AWS infrastructure in Sydney and Melbourne. Australian organizations will benefit from increased access to cloud and AI services amid the growing demand for generative AI and scalable computing power in the region.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted the significance of this investment, noting, “This is the largest investment our country has seen from a global technology provider. It creates opportunities for skilled jobs, innovation and infrastructure that supports complex AI and supercomputing applications.”
To power this AI infrastructure sustainably, AWS plans to construct three new solar farms in Victoria and Queensland. These farms aim to provide over 170 MW of renewable energy, expanding Amazon’s renewable energy projects in Australia to 11. Once operational, these projects will generate 1.4 million MWh of carbon-free energy annually.
Furthermore, Amazon will increase its focus on AI skills and workforce development programs. Initiatives such as the AWS AI Spring Australia initiative, Generative AI Accelerator, and AI Launchpad programs are on the agenda. Since 2017, AWS has already trained over 400,000 Australians in cloud computing and AI skills.
Matt Garman, AWS CEO, remarked, “This planned investment deepens our long-term commitment to supporting the growth and development of Australian organizations of all sizes and helping them harness the enormous opportunity that generative AI offers.”
