NextDC’s D1 data centre facility opens in NT

NextDC has officially opened its data centre facility in Darwin, named D1, which was developed in close partnership with Vocus and the Northern Territory government.

The opening has been three years in the making for NextDC after it successfully won the NT government’s data centre expression of interest process in October 2021.

At the time, NextDC would further expand its digital infrastructure platform with the development of D1 and mission-critical operations centre in the Darwin CBD.

The facility will also host high-speed and secure networking infrastructure to connect the NT and the broader APAC region.

The official opening of D1 “will play a pivotal role in accelerated computing and represents the next step towards achieving national digital equity for the NT,” said NextDC CEO Craig Scroggie.

D1 has a target capacity of 7 megawatts and will support the rapid emergence of technology innovation driven by artificial intelligence (AI).

“This facility will enable organisations operating in the Northern Territory to embrace digital innovation and compete in new and dynamic growth markets across the APAC region,” said Scroggie.

The data centre is located close to Darwin’s central business district and also provides direct access to major subsea cable infrastructure, enabling real-time responsiveness to operational and mission-critical requirements across several sectors, including government, mining, resources and defence.

For NextDC’s partner Vocus, integrating its Terabit Territory fibre network within the data centre will help connect the high-capacity, low-latency networking required for highly resilient digital infrastructure and mission-critical operational centres in Darwin. 

Ellie Sweeney, CEO at Vocus, said, “this will also allow it to connect to its Darwin-Jakarta-Singapore Cable submarine system” and claimed it will “unlock Darwin as a major new digital hub for the Asia Pacific, delivering unparalleled redundancy and reliability to the region”.

Several organisations were also involved as foundational partners in the Digital Development Program at D1 Darwin, including Aussie Broadband, GSL Networks and NetVault.

“Northern Territory business and government will be able to significantly boost the capability of their current digital footprint, actively supporting our Digital Territory Action Plan to enable all Territorians to reach their potential and thrive in a digital economy,” added Northern Territory Chief Minister Eva Lawler.

The opening of D1 comes months after NextDC initiated a $1.3 billion capital raising effort as it significantly ramped up the development and fit-out work across its Sydney and Melbourne data centres.