How CDC is shaping Australia’s critical infrastructure and green energy transition

In an interview at Cloud and Infrastructure Edge, Greg Boorer, Founder and CEO at CDC, shared insights into the company’s journey and its crucial role in shaping Australia’s critical infrastructure and green energy transition.

CDC began its operations over 17.5 years ago in Canberra, initially serving the federal government’s need for modern computing infrastructure to replace outdated systems.

The company has since expanded its services to cater to various critical industries, including utilities and airlines.

Greg emphasised the growing importance of secure and reliable data centres in today’s complex and risk-prone world.

Strategic Investments for the Future
The challenge of investing in data centres is to predict future demands while managing commercial viability.

By engaging with major technology companies and leveraging global insights, CDC navigates investment decisions strategically.

The data centre industry faces a major lead time for infrastructure development, requiring careful planning and foresight.

CDC gains an edge by forming strategic partnerships and making informed predictions about future resource needs.

Powering Australia’s Green Future
Greg also highlighted the role of data centres in Australia’s energy transition.

CDC’s substantial investments in renewable energy and its ability to offer stable energy demand contribute to grid reliability and support renewable energy projects.

Despite concerns about power consumption, CDC’s operations, powered entirely by renewable sources or offsets, highlight the positive impact data centres can have on both business and environmental sustainability.

The reliability of data centres is crucial for maintaining the digital economy and managing disruptions, ensuring that they remain resilient and adaptable in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Key Takeaways:
Critical infrastructure evolution: CDC began by addressing outdated computing infrastructure for the federal government and has since expanded to support various critical industries, reflecting the increasing importance of reliable and secure data centres in a risk-prone world.

Strategic investment approach: By engaging with major technology firms and using global insights, CDC navigates the complex investment landscape of data centres. This involves anticipating future demands and making informed decisions to ensure commercial viability and readiness for emerging needs.

Sustainability and grid stability: CDC contributes to Australia’s energy transition by investing in renewable energy and providing consistent energy demand, which supports grid stability. Despite concerns about power consumption, CDC’s operations, powered by renewable sources, demonstrate the positive role data centres can play in both business sustainability and environmental goals.

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