NEXTDC Limited confirmed that it has agreed a Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") with OpenAI, enabling Australia to become a regional infrastructure partner under the Open AI for Countries program. National Infrastructure Partnership: Through the MoU, OpenAI and NEXTDC will collaborate on the planning, development and operation of a next-generation hyperscale AI campus and large-scale GPU supercluster at NEXTDC's S7 site in Eastern Creek, Sydney. This campus will provide secure, sovereign infrastructure, supporting sensitive and mission-critical workloads across enterprise, financial services, Government, defence, education, healthcare, research and the broader technology ecosystem.
OpenAI is already working with leading enterprises across Australia, including Commonwealth Bank, Canva, Atlassian, Virgin Australia, Coles, UNSW and LaTrobe University. It recognizes Australia's strengths in data centre infrastructure, and status as a Five Eyes nation. S7 Hyperscale Campus: The first phase will focus on NEXTDC's S7 hyperscale campus, making it one of the most advanced sovereign AI campuses in the Asia-Pacific region.
It is engineered as a sovereign AI facility with security, resilience and operational standards aligned to Australia's SOCI framework. The S7 site will incorporate next-generation engineering features including closed-loop high-density liquid cooling for ultra-high-density GPU clusters. These systems will not require ongoing potable drinking water for cooling operations.
These engineering choices position S7 at the forefront of sustainable, sovereign digital infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region and ensure the facility is ready for the next generation of liquid-cooled, high-density AI architectures. Subject to securing necessary approvals, the first phase of the S7 project is expected to be delivered in the second half of calendar 2027.
