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Firmus Secures 600 MW Energy Supply Agreement for South Australia AI Expansion

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Firmus signed a 12-year agreement to secure 600 megawatts of electricity for its South Australian AI campus expansion, the company said Thursday.

The agreement with Gunvor Group will supply wholesale electricity for the next stage of Project Southgate, Firmus' initiative to establish large-scale AI Factory campuses across regional Australia, the company said.

To supply Firmus' planned South Australian expansion, Gunvor will support 1.2 gigawatt of new renewable generation and 1.5 gigawatt-hour of battery storage by 2032.

Firmus will curb electricity consumption for up to 220 hours annually when wholesale power prices rise above agreed levels, helping reduce grid pressure and make more electricity available to other users, the company said.

The first phase of AI Factory campuses at Tailem Bend and Stirling North will rely on the agreement, covering 2.7 GW of planned capacity. The company said it also represents the first major commercial agreement under its Australian Energy and Water Policies.

GreenPoint Energy's Koolunga Battery Energy Storage System near Brinkworth secured long-term offtake backing under the agreement. Firmus said the 200 MW/800 MWh grid-forming battery will deliver more than half of its initial firming capacity.

Firmus added that it selected regional locations with strong renewable resources and existing transmission capacity to support the campuses, which it expects will create skilled jobs and attract long-term investment across South Australia.

"Our South Australia energy agreement puts our commitments into practice, backing new renewable generation, major battery storage and flexible energy use that supports the grid," said Oliver Curtis, Co-CEO of Firmus Technologies.

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