Amazon has also put on record AU$20 billion in building Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centers in Australia over a period of 10 years up to 2029. It is the biggest investment in technology infrastructure that the country has ever made. The investment will enhance the strength of cloud computing and AI, support economic development, and enhance digital transformation. It also involves constructing three new solar farms within Victoria and Queensland to enhance the expanded infrastructure using renewable energy. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reacted positively to the move, terming it a big opportunity for innovation, high skill, and the construction of secure infrastructure to support the use of advanced AI and supercomputing in Australia.
Building Cloud Infrastructure and Supporting Sustainability
AWS’s expansion builds on more than a decade of investment in Australia. Since launching the AWS Asia Pacific (Sydney) Region in 2012, AWS has added local zones in Perth and the Melbourne region. In 2024, it partnered with the government to launch a “Top Secret” AWS Cloud for defense and intelligence. This new AU$20 billion investment includes three new solar farms developed by European Energy in Victoria and Queensland, adding to AWS’s existing eight renewable projects. These solar farms will supply over 170 megawatts of clean energy, helping power AWS operations and contributing to over 1.4 million MWh of carbon-free electricity annually, enough to power 290,000 homes.
This could help reduce carbon emissions by 94 percent in comparison with conventional data centers by migrating AI workloads to AWS, according to Accenture. The rate of investment into infrastructure should, first, provide the relevant level of environmental benefits and the economic payback, as well as provide compliance with the data residency and local regulatory standards. This is in line with the vision of Australia to derive $600 billion yearly with AI tools and automation by 2030. Prime Minister Albanese said that the investment is critical to the AI-powered future of the country, boosting sovereign positions and competitiveness in areas of cloud and AI technology.
Upskilling Australians and Accelerating Amazon AI Adoption
As part of its broader commitment, Amazon continues to drive AI adoption and digital upskilling through initiatives like AI Spring Australia. This suite of programs includes the AWS Generative AI Accelerator and AI Launchpad, which support startups and enterprises in scaling their AI journeys. These efforts are designed to unlock new product innovations, boost national productivity, and develop secure AI applications with built-in guardrails. AWS has already trained over 400,000 Australians in digital skills since 2017, through partnerships with educational institutions and programs like the AI Ready initiative, aiming to train two million people globally by 2025. The company also offers a Work-Based Learning Program to train data center operators through real-world experience.
Organizations like Canva, Telstra, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ Bank, and Westpac are already leveraging AWS AI tools to improve operations, research, and customer service. Startups like Relevance AI and 6pillars.ai are developing homegrown innovations with AWS support. AWS CEO Matt Garman said the investment reflects Amazon’s long-term commitment to Australia’s digital economy, aiming to make the nation a leader in AI. With infrastructure, training, and energy initiatives combined, the AU$ 20 billion plan sets the stage for a highly capable, sustainable, and globally competitive AI ecosystem.
A Transformative Milestone for Australia’s Tech Sector
The AU$ 20 billion investment by Amazon will be considered a revolutionary point in the digital and financial future of Australia. Besides infrastructure, it supports AI innovation, clean energy, and digital education. Along with new data processing centers, renewable energy development projects, and training programs, Amazon is not only contributing to industry but also to national resilience. The government is in touch with this historic commitment that will position Australia as a dominant force in cloud and AI abilities. AWS is shaping the future of Australia with the long-term legacy of innovation and productivity in the country by ensuring secure, scalable, environmentally friendly infrastructure on the horizon of the next generation of Australians.
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