As artificial intelligence, cloud computing and digital services continue to grow, data centres are becoming an increasingly important part of Australia's electricity demand profile.

In this episode of AEMO On Air, Margarida Pimentel, AEMO's Group Manager Onboarding and Connections, discusses what data centres are, how they connect to the power system, and what their growth could mean for electricity demand, reliability, system security and investment in new generation and storage.

The episode explores AEMO's role in supporting the efficient integration of data centres through connections, forecasting, technical standards and collaboration across industry.

It also examines the increasingly important role data centres could play in the energy transition. As Margarida explains, while data centres are often discussed as large energy users, they also have the potential to support new investment in generation and storage and help absorb excess rooftop solar generation during the middle of the day.

Interviewer: Catie Low


We’ve brought together AEMO’s latest work, insights, and expert perspectives on data centres. Read more here: www.aemo.com.au/newsroom/news-updates/digital-demand-surge

🎧 Mentioned throughout this episode are several previous AEMO On Air conversations. You can catch up on those episodes here: www.aemo.com.au/newsroom/aemo-on-air-podcast

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Following the release of AEMO's 2026 Integrated System Plan (ISP), AEMO CEO Daniel Westerman joins AEMO On Air to discuss the roadmap shaping Australia's energy future as electricity consumption continues to grow through electrification and ageing coal-fired power stations progressively retire.

In this episode, Daniel explains why the ISP continues to identify renewables, connected to networks, firmed by storage and backed by gas, as the lowest-cost pathway to maintaining a secure and reliable power system, while meeting government policy. He also explores how consumer energy resources are influencing long-term planning.

Hear how the ISP has evolved, what it means for industry, governments and consumers, and why timely investment across the whole energy system is critical to delivering reliable, low-cost electricity for Australians.

Read the full ISP report
Download the ISP explainer and view the ISP infographic
Access all the ISP appendices and associated supporting materials: AEMO | 2026 Integrated System Plan (ISP)

Interviewer: Catie Low

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What is the Integrated System Plan and why does it matter?

With the upcoming release of the 2026 Integrated System Plan (ISP) this week, our latest AEMO On Air podcast episode goes behind the scenes of the long-term roadmap for the National Electricity Market with AEMO Group Manager System Planning, Eli Pack.

Eli explains how the ISP is developed, who uses it, and how input from around 2,000 stakeholders across industry, governments, consumer groups and market bodies helps shape the plan. The conversation also explores the expanding scope of the ISP and its role in supporting a reliable, secure and low-cost energy system as Australia's energy transition continues.

While many Australians may never read the ISP itself, as Eli notes, most people will experience the outcomes it delivers.

Interviewer: Catie Low

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