Infratil welcomes data centre idea for Taranaki

Infratil Limited 5 Market Lane, PO Box 320, Wellington, New Zealand Tel +64-4-473 3663 www.infratil.com
10 August 2026

Infratil welcomes data centre idea for Taranaki

Infratil Limited (IFT:NZX/ASX) is pleased to announce that two of its portfolio companies, Contact
Energy (CEN: NZX/ASX) and CDC, are working together to explore how they could unlock significant
regional infrastructure investment in Taranaki, New Zealand.

Infratil Chief Executive Jason Boyes said the partnership offers an attractive infrastructure opportunity
for Taranaki.

“We're excited by this opportunity to combine CDC's extensive data centre expertise and
sustainability credentials with Contact Energy's existing infrastructure, renewable electricity
generation, and substantial pipeline of renewable energy projects.

“The ability to use data centre demand to underpin regional investment in more renewable generation
and jobs is an idea worth exploring.”

Announcements from CDC and Contact Energy about their initial work to explore the opportunity are
attached.


Any enquires should be directed to:
Brett Jackson
Infratil Investor Relations Director
Email: brett.jackson@infratil.com

Emma Myers
Communications Manager
Email: media@morrisonglobal.com

Authorised for release by:
Jason Boyes
Infratil CEO

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Contact Energy Limited Level 2 Harbour City Tower, 29 Brandon Street, Wellington 6011 | PO Box 10742, Wellington 6143
P: +64 4 499 4001 | W: contactenergy.co.nz

10 August 2026

Contact partners with CDC to explore data
centre development
Contact Energy (Contact) and CDC Data Centres (CDC) have today announced they are
working together to explore a potential data centre at Stratford, Taranaki.
Contact and CDC will seek resource consent for a 250 MW data centre
1
to be built near the site
of Contact’s Taranaki Combined Cycle gas power plant (TCC), retired earlier this year having
reached end-of-life. It would be supported by co-located battery storage development.
“It is our intention that electricity for the proposed facility would be supplied under long-term
contract, supported by new generation from Contact’s 11 TWh pipeline of geothermal, wind and
solar development options,” said Contact CEO Mike Fuge.
Large-scale, long-term, contracted demand underpins investment in new renewable generation
and batteries, rather than relying solely on existing supply.
“Our strategy is to lead New Zealand’s renewable energy future. And, as part of that, we are
playing our part in the economic regeneration of the regions,” said Mr Fuge.
“We believe Stratford shapes as an ideal location to explore a digital hub powered by renewable
energy from where the local Taranaki economy can thrive, and the wider energy system and
New Zealand can benefit.”
Peak construction jobs on the data centre are expected to be comparable to the level seen at
Contact’s Tauhara geothermal power station, which provided more than 600 jobs in Taupo at its
peak. Once operational, around four times as many skilled workers are expected to be on site
compared to the former TCC.
As part of the project design process, Contact and CDC are assessing a range of technologies to
manage and smooth demand, including solutions that can respond to rapid load changes. The
aim is to strengthen system reliability during peak demand and dry-year conditions.
Stratford provides an attractive option for data centre development, with 500 MW of grid-scale
batteries already consented and an existing grid connection.
2
Diverse high-capacity fibre
connection is available, both terrestrial and subsea, providing connection to Auckland, the
landing point for New Zealand’s international fibre cables.
Contact’s joint venture with Lightsource bp is also progressing an option for a 150 MWac solar
farm with integrated battery storage near the site.
3

CDC Founder and CEO Greg Boorer said his company welcomed the opportunity to work with
Contact to assess a potential data centre development at Stratford.
“At a time when digital infrastructure is becoming increasingly important to national resilience and
economic productivity, we see value in a project shaped by New Zealand’s energy capability,
significant local ownership and long-term regional participation,” said Mr Boorer.

1
IT / compute load of 250MW. Approximately 350MW total load including ancillary load at peak times (subject to final design).
2
Minor substation works required.
3
The solar development option remains subject to resource consent, financing and final investment decisions.

Contact Energy Ltd
2


CDC data centres are designed to minimise or eliminate reliance on local water resources. Its
fully closed-loop cooling technology recirculates the same water through the facility, rather than
drawing continuously from the water network like some overseas data centres. This keeps
operational water use exceptionally low. For Stratford, CDC will explore a pathway to a net zero-
water-use cooling solution. This will include rainwater collection and reuse in the bespoke
design. Where practical, captured water could also support landscaping, biodiversity and
community water initiatives.
CDC’s New Zealand data centres are Toitū Net Carbon Zero certified, and Toitū Enviromark
Diamond certified, recently achieving both certifications for the third consecutive year. Diamond
is the highest level within the Toitū Enviromark programme and recognises organisations that
have embedded environmental management into the way they operate, make decisions and
drive continual improvement.
“Our focus at the moment is on working systematically through the technical, consenting,
commercial and stakeholder work required to assess this opportunity. The project would move
forward only if it meets all required criteria and CDC’s high standards for secure, resilient and
responsible digital infrastructure,” said Mr Boorer.
The site would bolster CDC data centres’ support for customers that deliver essential digital
services across government, research, education, disaster recovery, cloud, enterprise and
critical infrastructure sectors, where secure, resilient and always-available technology is required.
At this stage, activities are limited to consenting, site and infrastructure design, customer
engagement and development planning. Neither party has committed to construct the facility.
Development would be subject to securing anchor tenants, obtaining the necessary approvals
and securing project finance.
4

As planning progresses, Contact and CDC will engage proactively with key stakeholders
including on project design, infrastructure requirements, environmental considerations and
regional benefits. The operation of Contact’s existing 200MW generation assets in Stratford is
not impacted by this proposal.


- ends -

Investor enquiries Media enquiries
Shelley Hollingsworth Louise Wright
Head of Strategy & Investor Relations Head of Communications & Reputation
+64 27 227 2429 +64 21 840 313
investor.centre@contactenergy.co.nz media@contactenergy.co.nz



4
While still at an early stage, one of a number of pathways that is being progressed for the construction of the proposed data
centre would involve an equity investment from Contact alongside CDC and project financing. This would be structured to
preserve Contact’s balance sheet strength.

Contact Energy Ltd
3

About Contact Energy
Contact Energy is leading New Zealand’s renewable energy future, operating 37 sites nationwide
across geothermal, hydro, battery and thermal assets, and supporting more than 690,000
customer connections across electricity, gas, broadband and mobile.
Contact is building renewable energy infrastructure at pace, committing more than $2.4 billion
over the past five years, including three new geothermal power stations, two grid-scale batteries,
and two solar farms. Since 2020, Contact has grown from a $6 billion to a $12 billion company,
supporting jobs and businesses in almost every region of New Zealand.

About CDC Data Centres

CDC is the largest developer, owner and operator of highly secure, sovereign and
interconnected data centre infrastructure across Australia and New Zealand. Its shareholders
include Infratil, as well as government organisations such as the Future Fund (Australia's
sovereign wealth fund) and Commonwealth Super Corporation. CDC provides the critical
infrastructure that underpins government services, national critical infrastructure and the digital
economy, where security, availability and resilience are fundamental requirements.

CDC’s operations are differentiated by its fully integrated model, with in-house capabilities across
site selection, design, construction and operations. This end-to-end approach, developed over
more than 19 years, enables consistent delivery of highly secure, large-scale facilities and
supports long-term operational performance across the asset lifecycle, reducing execution risk
and supporting reliable delivery.

CDC integrates sustainability considerations into the design, construction and operation of its
facilities. The company always looks to match electricity consumption with renewable energy,
employs advanced closed-loop cooling technology that significantly minimises reliance on water
resources, and continues to invest in efficient infrastructure that supports long-term resilience
and performance. CDC also works closely with customers, industry partners, governments and
local communities throughout the development and operational lifecycle of its facilities, with a
focus on transparency, stakeholder engagement and delivering positive economic and
community outcomes in the regions where it operates.

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1
CDC and Contact Energy to explore data centre at Stratford, Taranaki
10 August 2026 — CDC Data Centres and Contact Energy are working together to explore a potential
data centre at Stratford, Taranaki, on land near Contact's former Taranaki Combined Cycle power station.
The Stratford site offers a strong combination of energy and connectivity infrastructure including diverse high-
capacity fibre, both terrestrial and subsea, which connects the site to Auckland where New Zealand's
international cables land.
CDC Founder and Chief Executive Greg Boorer said Stratford presented a rare opportunity to bring renewable
energy and critical digital infrastructure together in one location.
"CDC builds the infrastructure that governments, health systems, emergency services, researchers and
financial institutions depend on. This is where sovereign data is held, where critical systems stay online, and
where the most sensitive information stays in country," Mr Boorer said.
"Stratford has the potential to bring together renewable generation, grid connection, fibre and a skilled
technical workforce in a way very few places can. That combination is why we are looking at it seriously."
A facility at Stratford would be designed to support critical and sovereign workloads: government and public
sector systems, healthcare and emergency services, scientific and research computing, banking and
payments, and the communications networks that must remain available when other systems fail. CDC's New
Zealand data centres are powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity and have been Toitū net carbon zero
certified since their first year of operation. CDC has also achieved a Toitū Enviromark Diamond certification for
the fourth year running which is the highest level within the Toitū Enviromark programme and recognises
organisations that have embedded environmental management into the way they operate, make decisions and
drive continual improvement.
It is intended that electricity for the proposed facility would be supplied under long-term contract, supported by
new generation from Contact's renewable development pipeline. Large-scale, long-term demand of this kind
can help underpin investment in new renewable generation and battery storage, strengthening the wider
energy system rather than competing for existing supply.
CDC is extremely proud to use a closed-loop cooling system at all of its developed facilities. This system is
filled once at construction, typically using captured rainwater, and recirculated for the life of the facility. CDC
facilities do not draw on local water supplies, rivers or groundwater on an ongoing basis. For Stratford, CDC
will explore a pathway to a net zero water-use cooling solution, including rainwater collection and reuse
designed into the facility.
The project remains at an exploration stage. Any development would be subject to due diligence, consenting
and commercial requirements and engagement with key stakeholders. Neither company has committed
to construct a facility.
-ends -

CDC Data Centres Pty Ltd (CDC)
ABN 59125710394
PO BOX 635
Fyshwick ACT 2609
cdc.com
About CDC Data Centres
CDC is the largest developer, owner and operator of highly secure, sovereign and interconnected data centre
infrastructure across Australia and New Zealand. Its shareholders include Infratil, as well as government
organisations such as the Future Fund (Australia's sovereign wealth fund) and Commonwealth Super Corporation.
CDC provides the critical infrastructure that underpins government services, national critical infrastructure and the
digital economy, where security, availability and resilience are fundamental requirements.
CDC’s operations are differentiated by its fully integrated model, with in-house capabilities across site selection,
design, construction and operations. This end-to-end approach, developed over more than 19 years, enables
consistent delivery of highly secure, large-scale facilities and supports long-term operational performance across
the asset lifecycle, reducing execution risk and supporting reliable delivery.
CDC integrates sustainability considerations into the design, construction and operation of its facilities. The
company always looks to match electricity consumption with renewable energy, employs advanced closed-loop
cooling technology that significantly minimises reliance on water resources, and continues to invest in efficient
infrastructure that supports long-term resilience and performance. CDC also works closely with customers, industry
partners, governments and local communities throughout the development and operational lifecycle of its facilities,
with a focus on transparency, stakeholder engagement and delivering positive economic and community outcomes
in the regions where it operates.
Media contact:
Danielle Finnigan
CDC Head of External Affairs
Ph: 0427 863 726.
Email: media@cdc.com
About Contact Energy
Contact Energy is leading New Zealand’s renewable energy future, operating 37 sites nationwide across
geothermal, hydro, battery and thermal assets, and supporting more than 690,000 customer connections across
electricity, gas, broadband and mobile.
Contact is building renewable energy infrastructure at pace, committing more than $2.4 billion over the past five
years, including three new geothermal power stations, two grid-scale batteries, and two solar farms. Since 2020,
Contact has grown from a $6 billion to a $12 billion company, supporting jobs and businesses in almost every
region of New Zealand.