Status: Under Construction (Multi-Phase) | Location: Melbourne’s North-West Suburbs
The commencement of construction on AirTrunk MEL2 in January 2026 marks a significant leap in Australia's capacity to host global Artificial Intelligence workloads. Situated in Melbourne's North-West, this 354 MW campus is being developed with an investment exceeding AUD $5 billion. When combined with AirTrunk’s existing MEL1 facility, the company’s total deployable capacity in Melbourne will reach a staggering 630 MW, solidifying the city's status as a top-tier digital hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
MEL2 is explicitly designed as an AI-first facility. Recognizing the shift toward high-density compute, AirTrunk has integrated large-scale direct-to-chip liquid cooling technology into the core design of the campus. This allows the facility to support the extreme thermal requirements of next-generation GPU clusters used for training Large Language Models (LLMs). Despite this massive power density, the project targets an industry-leading PUE of 1.15, utilizing advanced power management and the naturally favorable climate of Melbourne to minimize energy overhead.
The project is a major win for the Victorian economy, with the state government, via Invest Victoria, providing strategic support. Construction is expected to create over 4,000 jobs during its multi-phase build, with an additional 200 direct operational roles upon completion. This development aligns perfectly with Australia’s National AI Plan, which aims to position the country as a global leader in responsible AI. By providing the "foundational steel" for this digital shift, MEL2 ensures that global hyperscalers and domestic enterprises have the scale they need to innovate locally.
Sustainability remains a cornerstone of the MEL2 strategy. The project is financed through Sustainability-Linked Loans (SLL), which tie financial performance to meeting strict carbon and water efficiency targets. AirTrunk has committed to 100% renewable energy matching for the site, leveraging Australia's maturing green energy grid. As the first phase moves toward a 2027 go-live, MEL2 stands as a benchmark for how massive industrial scale can be balanced with environmental stewardship and regional economic growth.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Project Name | AirTrunk MEL2 - Melbourne North-West |
| Location | Melbourne’s North-West Suburbs |
| Status | Under Construction (Multi-Phase) |
| Commissioning | Phase 1: H2 2027 |
| Total IT Load | 354 MW |
| Total Capacity | 630 MW (Combined with MEL1) |
| Tier Level | Tier III+ Equivalent |
| Project Type | Hyperscale / AI-Ready Campus |
| Header | Details |
|---|---|
| City Name | Melbourne |
| Population | ≈ 5.1 million |
| Urban Agglomeration | ≈ 5.2 million |
| City GDP | ≈ USD 330 billion |
| Per Capita Income | ≈ USD 60,000 |
| City Tier | Tier 1 / Alpha Global City |
| Key Strengths | Global financial and business hub, strong digital and data center ecosystem, advanced infrastructure, skilled workforce, innovation and R&D, high quality of life, education and research institutions, gateway to Asia-Pacific markets |
| Header | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer / Operator | AirTrunk |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | Invest Victoria / Macquarie Asset Management |
| Construction Contractor | Tier 1 Australian Contractor (Confidential) |
| MEP Engineering | Aurecon |
| Network Connectivity | Telstra / Vocus / TPG Telecom |
| Power Infrastructure | AusNet Services |
| Header | Details |
|---|---|
| Power Capacity | Dedicated On-site High-Voltage Substation |
| UPS Redundancy | N+1 Distributed Redundancy |
| Cooling System | Large-scale Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling |
| Connectivity | Diverse Fiber Paths; Low-latency to SYD Region |
| PUE Target | 1.15 |
| Energy Mix | 100% Renewable Matching (Solar/Wind Offtake) |
| Header | Details |
|---|---|
| Announcement | December 24, 2025 |
| Construction Start | January 2026 |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | H2 2027 (Estimated) |
| Full Buildout | 2029 |
| Header | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Investment | AUD $5 Billion (~USD $3.3 Billion) |
| Funding | Sustainability-Linked Loan (SLL) Financing |
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