Overview
Energy North Pty Ltd propose to construct and operate Project Ares, approximately 52 km north-west of Elliot and 100 km south-west of Daly Waters. Project Ares is a hyperscale data centre campus with total information technology capacity of 1 GW.
The proposed action includes:
- a hyperscale data centre (total information technology capacity of 1 GW)
- up to 4 GL/yr of groundwater extracted from the Wiso Basin
- a large scale (7,000 ha) solar farm
- solar photovoltaic generation up to 3,000-megawatt peak
- battery energy storage systems up to 16 gigawatt hours
- gas fired power generation infrastructure
- non-process infrastructure (access roads, airstrip, workers accommodation, laydown areas, workshops, rail siding, waste management)
- a preliminary disturbance footprint of 19,150 ha within a project area of 186,000 ha.
The proposed action is anticipated to have an operational life of at least 25 years for the data facility, with the overall project exceeding 30 years.
Why we are consulting
Your feedback plays an important role and will be considered by the NT EPA in deciding whether the proposed action requires environmental impact assessment and if so the required method of assessment.
Consultation helps the NT EPA and proponent to identify issues of concern and potential effects, as well as get feedback from stakeholders on project options or potential mitigation measures.
The NT EPA has prepared guidance for making a public submission PDF (299.3 KB) that outlines when comments will be sought, how to make an effective comment and what will happen to your comment.
Statutory notice (8 July 2026)
The NT EPA invites public comment on a proponent initiated environmental impact statement referral for standard assessment submitted by Energy North Pty Ltd to construct and operate a hyperscale data centre approximately 52 km north-west of Elliot and 100 km south-west of Daly Waters in the Barkly region.
The referral documents, draft terms of reference and draft statement of reason can be inspected and obtained below. Interested persons may make a submission by 20 August 2026. The NT EPA publishes this notice in accordance with regulation 52(1) of the Environment Protection Regulations 2020.
Documents
| Referral | Type |
|---|---|
| Referral form | PDF 231.4 KB |
| Referral report | PDF 11.1 MB |
| Appendix A – Terrestrial Ecology Report | PDF 18.5 MB |
| Appendix B – Stakeholder Engagement Plan | PDF 310.3 KB |
| Project Ares – Draft Terms of Reference | PDF 381.5 KB |
| Project Ares – Draft Statement of Reasons | PDF 291.0 KB |
For more information about the referral, go to the environmental impact assessment register for Project Ares.