Invercargill could be poised to emerge as a vital digital destination, Datagrid New Zealand says, as the country’s first AI factory yesterday moved a step closer to reality. The facility would be New Zealand’s first AI factory. The factory would include the construction of a 78,000sq m AI factory in Makarewa, just north of Invercargill, equipped with a grid exit point electricity substation. Once operational, it would consume 280MW of power, making it New Zealand’s second-largest electricity user after the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter. Consent for the project was approved by the Southland District Council, Environment Southland and Invercargill City Council.
