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AAP
AAP
Environment
Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson

'Don't use the lights': data centre boom sparks warning

There are fears the data centre boom will drive up power costs for average Australians. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Households and businesses should not have to pay more to accommodate power-hungry data centres in their neighbourhoods, an inquiry has been told, and regulations could help Australia avoid repeating international mistakes.

Without further restrictions, the high-tech hubs could force up the price of energy or overload the power system, legal and planning experts warned, forcing some organisations to turn off their lights.

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