Pilot Energy partners with UAE-based Kala Data to turn idle Arrowsmith gas site into WA’s first green data hub

Pilot Energy has joined forces with United Arab Emirates-based Kala Data to turn its Arrowsmith production facility, south of Dongara, into one of the Mid West’s newest sources of clean-tech jobs and investments. The partnership will see the companies build a series of modular data centres — specialised computer buildings that run powerful servers used for things like cloud storage, artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. The centres will be powered by the Arrowsmith site’s existing gas generators, which have mostly sat idle since Pilot’s Cliff Head oil field stopped production in September 2024 after 18 years of operation. Kala will install the first 1MW data centre in early 2026, with plans to expand to 4MW by mid-year. If the initial stage is successful, the project could eventually grow to around 30MW across Arrowsmith and Pilot’s Three Springs Solar Project site. Pilot will supply the gas and oversee on-site operations using its existing Mid West workforce, while Kala will handle the technology and cover upfront investment. The new data centre is expected to bring in early cash flow that will help Pilot fund the clean-up and conversion of its old Cliff Head oil operations into a carbon storage site. The operation is part of the Mid West Clean Energy Project, which aims to produce up to one million tonnes of clean ammonia each year and store carbon dioxide underground off the coast of Dongara. Pilot Energy managing director Brad Lingo said the agreement was a smart way to make use of existing local infrastructure. “By leveraging surplus gas-fired power and the existing Cliff Head operations team, we aim to generate an early and material positive cash flow while laying the foundation for long term growth in renewable energy and carbon storage,” he said. Mr Lingo said the partnership would help create one of “WA’s first green data centres with significant expansion potential,” combining gas, solar power and future carbon storage all from the heart of the Mid West.