NEXTDC S7 is a proposed hyperscale and AI data centre campus at Eastern Creek in Western Sydney, about 45 km west of the Sydney CBD. NEXTDC is the developer. The NSW planning application (SSD-113934740) describes a 612 MW facility of three two-storey data storage buildings, with an on-site substation and 340 backup diesel generators. NEXTDC describes the campus as 650 MW. The project is at the Prepare EIS stage and has not been approved. In December 2025, NEXTDC and OpenAI signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding for OpenAI to use capacity at S7 for an AI campus and GPU supercluster. The first phase is targeted for the second half of 2027, subject to approvals.
Project facts
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Project | NEXTDC S7 Data Centre, Eastern Creek |
| Developer | NEXTDC |
| Operator | NEXTDC |
| Location | Eastern Creek, NSW (Blacktown City Council area) |
| Site area | 25.5 ha (255,135 m²) |
| Capacity | 612 MW operational capacity (planning application); 650 MW (NEXTDC and OpenAI announcement) |
| Investment | ~A$7 billion for the OpenAI MoU campus (reported); site acquired for A$353 million |
| Status | Prepare EIS |
| Application | State Significant Development, SSD-113934740 |
| Anticipated customer | OpenAI (non-binding MoU, December 2025) |
| Construction start | Not publicly disclosed |
| Expected completion | First phase targeted H2 2027, subject to approvals (NEXTDC/OpenAI) |
| Last verified | 27 September 2026 |
Project Overview
S7 is NEXTDC's largest planned Australian campus and one of the largest proposed in Western Sydney. The NSW Planning Portal describes it as the "construction and operation of a data centre with an operational capacity of 612 MW comprising of three, two-storey data storage buildings including 340 back-up diesel generators, diesel fuel storage, on-site substation, site works and car parking."
The December 2025 MoU with OpenAI, under OpenAI's "OpenAI for Australia" programme, positions S7 as a sovereign AI campus. The announcement named government, financial services, defence, research and enterprise as target customers.
Location
S7 is at Eastern Creek, in Blacktown City, about 45 km west of the Sydney CBD. NEXTDC notes the site is about 8 km from its S4 site at Horsley Park. Eastern Creek is one of Western Sydney's established data centre precincts. CDC's Eastern Creek campus is operating nearby, and Goodman's Project Atlas (SSD-101067971) is proposed at 10 Roberts Road.
More: Western Sydney data centres
Proposed Capacity
| Source | Figure | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| NSW Planning Portal (SSD-113934740) | 612 MW | "Operational capacity" in the project description |
| NEXTDC / OpenAI announcement (Dec 2025) | 650 MW | Campus capacity as announced |
| Earlier media reports | 550 MW+ | Earlier figures reported before the application |
The differences may reflect different capacity measures or design changes between announcements. The planning application figure is the one that will be assessed.
Power Infrastructure
The application includes an on-site substation. S7 is in the part of the Sydney basin where Transgrid reports more than 10 GW of data centre connection enquiries within 12 km of its Sydney West substation. Transgrid's Network Capacity Allocation Policy (from 14 August 2026) allocates capacity only at signed connection agreements, with conditions on project progress.
Grid connection agreement status: Not publicly disclosed.
Cooling Infrastructure
The OpenAI MoU announcement describes "closed-loop, high-density liquid cooling systems designed to support ultra-dense GPU deployments without relying on potable water" (w.media). Detailed cooling specifications will be in the EIS.
Backup Generation
340 backup diesel generators and diesel fuel storage (planning application). Generator testing regimes, air quality and noise will be assessed through the EIS.
Planning & Approvals
| Stage | Status |
|---|---|
| SEARs | Issued |
| Prepare EIS | Current stage |
| Exhibition | Pending |
| Collate submissions | Pending |
| Response to submissions | Pending |
| Assessment | Pending |
| Recommendation | Pending |
| Determination | Pending |
Consent authority: NSW Minister for Planning or delegate (State Significant Development). Projects meeting the NSW Data Centre Policy Framework's performance measures (August 2026) receive a commitment to assessment within 75 days.
Construction
Construction has not started. Head contractor: Not publicly disclosed.
Companies Involved
| Company | Role | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEXTDC | Developer, owner, operator | Confirmed | NSW Planning Portal; NEXTDC |
| OpenAI | Anticipated anchor customer | Non-binding MoU (5 Dec 2025) | w.media; NEXTDC ASX release |
| Blacktown City Council | Local council | Planning area | NSW Planning Portal |
| Head contractor | Not publicly disclosed | ||
| Engineering consultants | Not publicly disclosed |
Supplier Requirements
Likely infrastructure categories based on published project specifications:
- HV electrical and substation: the application includes an on-site substation
- Generators and fuel systems: 340 backup diesel generators and diesel fuel storage
- Liquid cooling: closed-loop, high-density liquid cooling (per the MoU announcement)
- Environmental consultants: EIS in preparation
- Civil: site works on 25.5 ha
- Construction: three two-storey data storage buildings
This list does not mean contracts are available. Procurement decisions rest with NEXTDC and its appointed contractors.
Project Timeline
September 2026. Project remains at Prepare EIS on the NSW Planning Portal (checked 27 Sep 2026).
14 August 2026. Transgrid's Network Capacity Allocation Policy takes effect for large loads, including Sydney basin data centres.
5 December 2025. NEXTDC and OpenAI announce a non-binding MoU for a ~A$7 billion AI campus at S7, with the first phase targeted for H2 2027, subject to approvals.
October 2024. NEXTDC acquires the 25.5 ha Eastern Creek site for A$353 million (ARN).
Latest Updates
No change in planning stage since the last check. The next expected milestone is public exhibition of the EIS.
Related Projects
- NEXTDC S4, Horsley Park: NEXTDC, about 8 km away
- Goodman Project Atlas, Eastern Creek: same precinct
- Mamre Road Data Centre Campus, Kemps Creek
- NEXTDC M4, Port Melbourne: NEXTDC's approved AI-ready campus
Operator: NEXTDC profile · City: Western Sydney · Theme: AI data centres in Australia
Sources & Verification
NSW Planning Portal NEXTDC S7 Data Centre, Eastern Creek SSD-113934740. Stage: Prepare EIS. Checked 27 September 2026. planningportal.nsw.gov.au
NEXTDC (ASX announcement) Building the Next Generation of Sovereign AI Infrastructure, 5 December 2025 ASX release
w.media OpenAI and NextDC unveil AUD 7bn plan for sovereign AI campus in Sydney, December 2025 w.media
DCD NextDC S7 Australian data center to offer 612MW of capacity datacenterdynamics.com
ARN NextDC spends $353M on new Eastern Creek site, October 2024 arnnet.com.au
Transgrid Data centres and electricity capacity in NSW transgrid.com.au
See something that needs updating? Submit a correction. NEXTDC and project consultants can submit corrections with a source.
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