Datagrid
Profile summary
- Ownership DG Founders, led by Rémi Galasso, with Singapore-based BW Digital historically holding about 37.5 per cent (privately held)
- HQ Auckland
- Founded 2021
- Founder and chair Rémi Galasso
- CEO Perrine Dhalluin
- Status planned, resource consent granted March 2026
- Flagship Makarewa campus near Invercargill
- Planned capacity 280MW
- Future anchor tenant University of Otago.
Datagrid is a New Zealand data centre developer, planning a 280MW campus at Makarewa near Invercargill, one of the country's largest proposed data centres, with resource consent granted in March 2026 and a first-phase opening targeted for 2028.
Overview
Datagrid was founded in 2021 by Rémi Galasso, founder of the Hawaiki submarine cable, and CallPlus founder Malcolm Dick. It is led by chief executive Perrine Dhalluin, with Galasso as founder and chair. Its Singapore-based backer BW Digital held about 37.5 per cent, and in 2025 Galasso's DG Founders vehicle moved to acquire that interest.
Datagrid's flagship project is a planned 280MW data centre on 49 hectares at Makarewa, about 7 kilometres north of Invercargill in Southland. Three councils, Environment Southland, Southland District Council and Invercargill City Council, granted resource consent in March 2026. The company targets a first-phase opening in 2028, with the University of Otago named as a future anchor tenant.
Financing
Datagrid has not confirmed the capital for the build. Reported cost estimates range from about NZ$3.4 billion to about US$3 billion, or roughly NZ$5.1 billion, across different project scopes.
Energy
Datagrid holds a 15-year power purchase option agreement with Mercury for up to 140MW, which covers about half of the first phase and is an option rather than a firm supply contract. The company describes the campus as running on more than 90 per cent renewable electricity, drawing on Manapouri hydro generation.
Connectivity
Datagrid is associated with the Tasman Ring Network, a planned subsea cable of about 6,000 kilometres landing at Oreti Beach that would give the South Island its first direct international connection, with paths to Auckland and to Sydney and Melbourne. The cable is targeted for service in the December 2027 quarter and is projected to cut latency between New Zealand and Australia by up to 35 per cent.
Facilities
Datagrid's Makarewa campus is a planned build. No capacity is operational, and the financing, power and cable arrangements are not yet finalised.
| Facility | Location | Status | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makarewa campus | Near Invercargill, Southland | Planned | 280MW planned |
Map
- Makarewa, near Invercargill, Southland -46.35, 168.35
Questions and answers
What is Datagrid?
Datagrid is a New Zealand data centre developer founded in 2021, planning a 280MW campus at Makarewa near Invercargill, one of the country's largest proposed data centres.
Where is Datagrid's data centre?
The planned campus sits on 49 hectares at Makarewa, about 7 kilometres north of Invercargill in Southland, on New Zealand's South Island.
Has Datagrid's data centre been approved?
Yes. Environment Southland, Southland District Council and Invercargill City Council granted resource consent in March 2026. The build itself remains subject to financing, which the company has not confirmed.
How will Datagrid be powered?
Datagrid holds a 15-year power purchase option with Mercury for up to 140MW, covering about half of the first phase, and describes the campus as running on more than 90 per cent renewable electricity.
Who is behind Datagrid?
Datagrid was founded by Hawaiki cable founder Rémi Galasso and CallPlus founder Malcolm Dick, and is led by chief executive Perrine Dhalluin. Its Singapore-based backer BW Digital held about 37.5 per cent, a stake Galasso's DG Founders vehicle moved to acquire in 2025.