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37 OCU Group Annual report and financial statements 2026
Operational review continued Australia market review
Digital Infrastructure Power-led digital infrastructure delivery, combining resilient high-voltage connections, underground routes and fibre at the Brendale Supernode precinct.
FY26 progress The Queensland Renewable Energy Supernode is also supporting the development of hyperscale data centre capacity. AEC delivered the underground electrical works for the precinct, including a 110 kV high‑voltage export line, fibre infrastructure, earthing and a horizontal directional drill beneath South Pine Road. The work connected critical power and communications infrastructure while managing the interfaces associated with a major public corridor. The first green data centre within the precinct became operational in January 2026, almost five months ahead of schedule. Its location alongside three independent high-voltage connections provides the resilience required by data centre operations, while the adjacent battery infrastructure supports the wider objective of combining digital development with a more flexible and resilient energy system. Integration in action The project brought together disciplines that are often procured and managed separately: high‑voltage power, underground construction, fibre, earthing and specialist HDD installation. Co‑ordinating those interfaces within the wider Supernode program demonstrates how OCU’s power and infrastructure experience can support complex digital developments while remaining closely aligned with the Group’s core delivery strengths.
Market conditions Australia’s data centre power market is forecast to grow from approximately A$842m in 2025 to approximately A$1,331m in 2030, equivalent to compound annual growth of 9.6%. This is a broad market indicator rather than an estimate of OCU’s directly serviceable opportunity, but it reflects the rising requirement for resilient connections, power distribution, backup systems and associated underground infrastructure. Looking ahead OCU’s opportunity in Digital Infrastructure is power-led and selective. The priority is to build from the Brendale reference where clients require high-voltage connections, underground routes, fibre and complex enabling works to be co‑ordinated through an accountable delivery partner. Growth will depend on early client engagement, network capacity and the ability to manage the demanding program and resilience requirements associated with data centre development.
AEC acted as principal contractor for the design, construction, testing and commissioning of the connection between the Supernode battery system and Powerlink’s South Pine Switchyard. Across the wider precinct, the team also delivered a 110 kV export line, fibre, earthing and an HDD beneath South Pine Road. The first green data centre became operational in January 2026, supported by three independent high-voltage connections. The program demonstrates how grid, storage and digital power infrastructure can be co‑ordinated around one strategically important energy node. Case study | Australia | Delivered and operational Queensland Renewable Energy Supernode Brendale, Queensland | Power Transmission & Distribution and Digital Infrastructure | Client: Powerlink
BESS grid connection 275 kV
Combined BESS power 500 MW
Storage across two stages 1,500 MWh
Ahead of schedule c.5 months
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