Bill Gates and the dream to take data centres to the Outback
by Tom Rabe · Australian Financial ReviewTom RabePolitical correspondent
Jul 17, 2026 – 1.36pm
In early February, American billionaire Bill Gates peered down from a jet at the vast, red expanse of the West Australian Pilbara.
During a trip that included attending the Australian Open tennis in Melbourne, the Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist diverted to the remote north-west for a first-hand look at Australia’s iron ore mining heartland and the sprawling renewable energy infrastructure that some believe could underpin the region’s economic future.
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- Data Centre Gold Rush
- Fortescue Metals Group
- The Pilbara
- AI
- Data centres
- Andrew Forrest
- Bill Gates
- AFR Weekend
Tom RabePolitical correspondentTom Rabe is the Western Australia political correspondent, based in Perth. Connect with Tom on Twitter. Email Tom at tom.rabe@nine.com.au
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