Christmas Island: Google’s plan to build a data hub on the small and remote Christmas Island is giving new momentum to efforts to shift the island toward renewable energy. Local officials and energy experts say the project could become a turning point for the community, which has long relied on costly diesel power.

The Australian territory in the Indian Ocean has only about 1600 residents and currently depends on diesel generators to meet most of its electricity needs. Authorities say the grid has enough capacity to support Google’s upcoming facility for now, but the company’s arrival has strengthened arguments for cleaner and more reliable energy sources. Importing diesel is expensive and exposes the island to supply risks.

Google’s data hub is part of a broader plan to improve digital

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