The partnership will deliver a 260 MW solar farm, an 800 MWh‑plus battery storage system and a wind facility of up to 350 MW, together exceeding 1 GW of generation and storage capacity in the Hunter region.

Solar and battery output are targeted for operation around 2030, while the wind project aims for commissioning in 2032; these dates remain development targets rather than firm construction milestones.

The combined generation will support AirTrunk’s proposed 550 MW Kurri Kurri data‑centre campus, planned on the former aluminium smelter site about 37 km north‑west of Newcastle.

European Energy will connect the facilities to Ausgrid’s upgraded 132 kV network via the Hunter‑Central Coast Renewable Energy Zone, pending technical assessments and final connection arrangements.

The Australian Financial Review values the overall clean‑power push at roughly A$1.5 billion, reflecting the scale of private investment linked to the region’s digital infrastructure expansion.

AirTrunk and European Energy are discussing a long‑term power purchase agreement that could underpin financing, although no final contract has been signed.

Regulatory backdrop and corporate renewable targets

Australian federal and New South Wales guidelines now require data‑centre operators to fund additional clean generation or storage to avoid shifting electricity costs onto households and businesses.

AirTrunk aims to match all its electricity consumption with renewable sources by 2030; the company reported that renewables already covered about 73 % of its FY2026 usage.

The Hunter project builds on the firms’ existing collaboration at the 31 MW Mulwala Solar Farm, which supplies the state grid and includes a 25 MW/100 MWh battery, illustrating how corporate demand can drive renewable investment.

Pending approvals and next actions

Developers must still complete planning, technical assessments and secure final commercial arrangements before construction can commence; no final investment decision has been announced.

Both parties indicated they will continue assessing additional renewable opportunities across Australia.