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Fire and Emergency New Zealand deploys aviation specialist to Tasmanian fires

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has sent a wildfire aviation specialist to Australia to run the aerial attack on several large bushfires in the north west of Tasmania.
Fire and Emergency Deputy National Commander Ken Cooper says the Tasmanian Fire Service and the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service have been managing a number of significant vegetation fires sparked by dry lightning strikes since 3 February.
“The fires are in challenging terrain and the Tasmanians have been mostly managing the fires with aircraft while ground crews battle the fires accessible by road,” he says.
It is expected the current significant fires will continue to burn uncontained for several weeks, causing ongoing resourcing and fatigue management pressures.
Our specialist arrived in Tasmania on Wednesday and has relieved the Tasmanian Air Operations Manager. They will be providing the overall coordination of aerial operations across the fires over the next two weeks.
“Our thoughts are with our neighbours in Tasmania, and we are happy to answer the call for help,” Ken Cooper says.
Fire and Emergency supports other countries in their time of need. Alongside predecessor organisations, we have been deploying personnel internationally to wildfire emergencies for more than 20 years.
This deployment is Fire and Emergency’s 75th international wildfire deployment since 2000. There have been 1544 firefighters deployed during this time. Note: this number does not include non-wildfire deployments, such as for natural disasters.
“When Fire and Emergency receives a request for firefighting assistance, we firstly consider the fire conditions in Aotearoa before we decide if we can support our international colleagues,” Ken Cooper says.
“These international deployments are not only beneficial for the countries that receive help, but also to our people. They gain valuable experience and skills in dealing with large scale and complex wildfires, which can be different from the types of fires they usually encounter back home.”

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Northland Regional Council $600k of Climate Resilient Communities Funding to be allocated

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Source: Northland Regional Council

$600k of Climate Resilient Communities Funding to be allocated
The Northland Regional Council is finalising a list of more than 20 projects around the region which will share $600,000 of funding designed to help build climate resilience.
During the council’s Long-Term Plan 2024-2034 consultation, the region’s communities had emphasised the importance they placed on council taking a leading role in helping to build that resilience.
That had resulted in the council establishing a $600,000 fund to support communities to prepare for the growing effects of climate change and the natural hazard risks our region faces.
The council – which had an overwhelming response with 96 applications requesting $3.2 million in funding – is currently finalising more than 20 projects that met the fund criteria and aimed to build community capacity and strengthen connections to build community resilience.
Successful applications are expected to be made public shortly.
Scholarship applications close
Applications for Northland Regional Council’s (NRC) Tū i te ora Scholarship have closed.
NRC says it received more than 20 applications for its scholarship, which recognises and supports students to undertake study, research or training that relates to council’s environmental and regulatory functions.
Council will award the six scholarships in May, with each recipient set to receive $4000 to assist with study costs, plus paid full-time work experience from mid-November 2025 to mid-February 2026.
24/7 NRC Incident Hotline
The Northland Regional Council operates a 24/7 incident hotline (0800) 504 639.
You can call this number to report all pollution and environmental incidents, including oil or chemical spills, water pollution, dangerous boating, and navigation hazards and breakdowns of navigation lights.
Northland Regional Council on social media
You can follow council on its social channels:

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Business – WEL Networks partnering with Copperleaf to improve asset investment decision making

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Source: WEL Networks

WEL Networks is partnering with Copperleaf, an international leader in offering end-to-end asset lifecycle management solutions.
Copperleaf’s Decision Analytics Solution will help WEL Networks to optimise its investment planning and ensure that critical infrastructure plans are aligned with the organisation’s vision and strategic goals.
“We’re excited to announce this Copperleaf partnership today,” said WEL Networks Chief Executive, Garth Dibley.
“As a community-owned organisation, by utilising the Copperleaf Portfolio™ we will be able to achieve significant improvements in safety, customer experience, cost efficiency and asset performance for the benefit of our communities.”
“WEL Networks’ commitment to improving the resilience, safety, and efficiency of its network is commendable,” said Aaron Tunnicliff, Copperleaf Account Executive.
“They are an innovative organisation that has been on the forefront of delivering new grid technologies such as renewable energy and network monitoring solutions.
“We’re excited to help them unlock improved capital expenditure management and accelerate their planning cycle.
“Copperleaf’s solution will provide the insights and traceability needed for more transparent and accountable decision making.”
“By joining the Copperleaf Community, WEL Networks will be part of a collaborative and innovative group of industry leaders who learn from each other and share best practices to drive the future of decision making,” added Stefan Sadnicki, Copperleaf Managing Director, EMEA & APJ. 

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Feedback wanted on working with engineered stone

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Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden says the consultation on working with engineered stone closes in one month and hopes to hear from businesses, workers in the industry and people working with other materials that contain crystalline silica.

“I want to understand what is currently being done to manage the risks, and whether additional regulation is needed,” says Ms van Velden.

The consultation outlines a full range of possible regulatory responses, from strengthening current requirements to implementing a full ban. 

“There are a range of views on this topic, and I want to build a comprehensive picture of current workplace practices and how risks are currently being managed.”

Engineered stone is a popular kitchen and bathroom bench material used in New Zealand homes and businesses. In its solid form, engineered stone does not have hazardous properties. 

It is the dust that is generated from cutting, grinding, or polishing engineered stone that has the potential to cause harm when it is breathed in. Silicosis is an occupational disease caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica, typically over a period of 20 years or more. Engineered stone workers can develop accelerated silicosis, a more aggressive form of silicosis, after just three to ten years of exposure to respirable crystalline silica. 

“I was encouraged by the volume and quality of submissions in my recent system-wide health and safety consultation and am looking forward to seeing the results of the consultation on working with engineered stone.  

“Like the broader health and safety system, I need to balance the safety of workers with ensuring any regulatory changes are proportionate and effective at managing the risks.

“I’m keen to hear from all industries in which respirable crystalline silica is generated including/such as mining, quarrying, tunnelling, roading, foundries, construction, manufacturing of concrete, bricks and tiles, abrasive blasting, monumental masonry work, concrete drilling, grinding, fettling, mixing, handling and dry shovelling,” says Ms van Velden. 

“You still have time to make a submission by going to MBIE’s website. The consultation closes at 5pm on 18 March 2025.” 

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Stats NZ information release: Electronic card transactions: January 2025

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Source: Statistics New Zealand

Electronic card transactions: January 2025 13 February 2025 – The electronic card transactions (ECT) series cover debit, credit, and charge card transactions with New Zealand-based merchants. The series can be used to indicate changes in consumer spending and economic activity.

Key facts

All figures are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise specified.

Values are at the national level and are not adjusted for price changes.

January 2025 month

Changes in the value of electronic card transactions for the January 2025 month (compared with December 2024) were:

  • spending in the retail industries decreased 1.6 percent ($103 million)
  • spending in the core retail industries decreased 1.5 percent ($86 million).

Files:

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Govt Cuts – Axing 63 roles at Callaghan Innovation will drive essential skills out of the country and undermine Government growth agenda – PSA

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Source: PSA

New redundances at Callaghan Innovation will undermine the country’s capacity to commercialise innovations of New Zealand businesses, which the Government claims it is so focussed on, says the union for Callaghan Innovation workers, the Public Service Association.
Last night, Callaghan Innovation told 63 workers their roles were being made redundant, including 16 commercialisation roles, 14 scientists and engineers, 6 Māori Innovation roles, and others working in data, digital, product design, risk and audit, marketing, government engagement and technical support.
“The Government is dismissing the very workers who could help grow the economy,” said PSA Acting National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons. “People working in those commercialisation roles have the skills to turn ideas into internationally marketable products and services quickly and successfully.”
Last month, Science Minister Shane Reti told Callaghan Innovation’s Board Chair that Callaghan would lose most of its funding well before its formal disestablishment, and before any new science organisations have been set up through the science system reforms recently announced. That will see around 75 science staff out of work and forced to find work overseas.
“The Minister is driving workers with essential knowledge out of the country. By defunding Callaghan Innovation before it’s disestablished, the Minister is forcing staff into redundancy with nowhere in New Zealand for them to go to.”
Cabinet papers released alongside the science reform announcements stated that the Minister would conduct a review of capability within Callaghan Innovation that could be retained and transferred elsewhere. However, this review resulted in minimal change.
“Callaghan Innovation staff were never given an opportunity to have input on this review,” said Fitzsimons. “The Minister has made decisions without even talking to the people who are losing their livelihoods over this.
“The Minister must treat Callaghan Innovation staff with dignity and respect and find ways to keep these highly skilled staff in New Zealand. Otherwise, we’ll lose more people offshore while New Zealand becomes a less attractive place to be a scientist.
“How will that help the Government’s economic growth agenda?”
Previous statement on cuts at Callaghan Innovation

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Consumer NZ warns of car rental company’s questionable practices

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Source: Consumer NZ

A recent investigation reveals how autoUnion pressures customers into paying large bonds to cover the excess on an insurance policy some believe is dodgy.

Chris Schulz, senior investigative journalist at Consumer NZ, is warning those looking for an affordable car hire option in Auckland or Christchurch to avoid car rental company autoUnion. Despite alluringly cheap daily rates, Schulz believes autoUnion’s cheap deals could end up costing a fortune.

Consumer initially received a tip-off from an autoUnion customer, Jesse Ashwell, about the car rental company’s potentially fraudulent practices.

“Ashwell bought insurance online when she first booked her car, but when she turned up at the car yard, she was asked to pay a $3,000 bond to cover the insurance excess on an additional ‘basic cover’ insurance policy.

“She didn’t receive a copy of an insurance policy document or any information about autoUnion’s insurance provider – despite requesting it,” says Schulz.

Ashwell says: “I refused to pay a $3,000 bond so it took two and a half hours to sort out the rental. When I finally got to the car, I found a dirty, smelly Toyota Aqua.”  

“The car broke down on the third day of hire. Ashwell was accused of filling it up with the wrong petrol (which she denies and has a receipt to prove) and her credit card was charged over $1500 to cover the damage autoUnion alleged she’d caused” says Schulz.

“We’re concerned autoUnion is targeting people looking for a super-cheap rental car, charging them a hefty bond to cover their insurance excess and then finding a reason to hold onto that bond.”

A spokesperson for autoUnion explained it is a budget rental car company and admitted it had had issues with some customers being confused by the company’s insurance policies – especially if they’d already paid for insurance when booking through a third-party company. But the spokesperson said autoUnion would never attempt to scam people in this way.  

But Schulz believes autoUnion is up to no good and likely to be breaking the law.  

He urges others looking to hire a cheap rental car to avoid autoUnion at all costs.

“It’s understandable that people will be tempted when a rental car is that cheap – but, in the case of autoUnion, it’s not worth it.

“Ashwell was pressured to buy an additional insurance product that we haven’t seen any evidence exists, accused of something she’s confident she didn’t do and then charged for alleged damage.  

“AutoUnion’s behaviour is unacceptable and we’re concerned others may have been stung by similar charges.”

If you’ve had a similar experience to Ashwell, please share your story with us at playfair@consumer.org.nz.  

“We want to get to the bottom of what’s going on with autoUnion, and if necessary, shut down this practice.”

Tips for renting a car

Check to see if the company is registered with the Rental Vehicle Association

Read reviews and check the terms and conditions of any deal before entering into a contract. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Book directly through the rental company’s website.

Car hirers should be up front about their insurance policies and provider’s details.

If you’re asked to pay a bond, make sure you know what the bond covers and read the terms and conditions thoroughly.

Notes

You can read more details about Consumer’s investigation into auto-Union on its website: Is an Auckland car rental company profiting from ‘fake’ insurance? ( https://consumernz.cmail20.com/t/i-l-fikwx-ijjdkdttjk-j/ )

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$14 million boost for sports facilities across Tāmaki Makaurau from Auckland Council

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Source: Auckland Council

A top-of-the-line climbing structure for Auckland tamariki and rangatahi to use and enjoy is one step closer thanks to Auckland Council’s Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund.

Six sports organisations across Tāmaki Makaurau will receive a slice of more than $14.3 million from the council to help develop their facilities to meet the sport and recreation needs of Aucklanders now and in the future.

Councillor Angela Dalton, chair of the Community Committee, says she’s pleased the council is able to help sports organisations build for the future.

“Auckland Council has allocated substantial funding to a variety of sporting organisations across the region, so they can grow and enhance their facilities.

“Having quality, fit for purpose facilities will ultimately allow Aucklanders from all walks of life to participate in sport and recreation, stay active and connect.

“Non-council owned facilities are crucial to the Tāmaki Makaurau sport and recreation facility network as they meet the region’s evolving demands for sporting opportunities.”

Waka Pacific Trust was allocated $250,000 for shading and lighting of the climbing frame to be built at Vector Wero Whitewater Park in Manukau. The galvanised steel structure will rise 16 metres, comprise 78 climbing elements ranging in difficulty levels. It will host up to 100 participants at once, offering a fun and active challenge. The Trust’s school programme which supported 90,000 children free of charge in 2024 – 80 per cent from low-decile schools – aims to provide free access to 15,000 local children in Wero Climb’s first year, with 9,000 already registered to have a go.

The council has previously contributed $250,000 to this $3.1 million project through the same fund.

The other organisations allocated funding include Auckland Hockey Association, Highbrook Regional Watersports Centre Trust, Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Whai Maia, Pakuranga United Rugby Club (to expand their community sports centre), Waka Pacific Trust and West Auckland Riding for the Disabled.

“It’s fantastic to have these investment decisions made by our elected members,” says Kenneth Aiolupotea, General Manager Community Wellbeing.

“The next step involves our team working closely with successful grant applicants to build their sports and recreational infrastructure that will benefit our communities across Tāmaki Makaurau. This is very exciting.”

How funding is allocated

Six organisations were invited to submit updated information regarding their on-going projects. These projects were identified based on their alignment to the priority criteria for the fund and progress through the project lifecycle.

Auckland Council staff and an independent review panel considered the submissions and assessed the capability of the organisations, achievability of the project, current project status, and funding status.

All six of the targeted process projects were recommended to receive grants for a total of $14,348,920. The funding was approved by the council’s Community Committee on 11 February 2025.

More information on the council’s grants programme that supports Aucklanders’ aspirations for a great city, including the Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund can be found on the Auckland Council website.

Next funding round

Applications for the Sport and Recreational Facilities Investment Fund, contestable process opens on 18 February 2025 and closes on 18 March 2025.

Sport and Recreation Facilities Investment Fund, targeted process 2025/2026

Recipient

Project title

Funding up to:

Auckland Hockey Association Incorporated

Lloyd Elsmore Park Hockey Stadium – Turf 2 renewal and LED Flood-light upgrade

$215,000

Highbrook Regional Watersport Centre Trust

Highbrook Watersports Centre Clubhouse building

$2,200,000

Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Whai Maia Limited acting on behalf of Whai Maia Charitable Trust 1

Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei Sports, Recreation and Hauora Centre

$5,000,000

Pakuranga United Rugby Club Incorporated

Howick Pakuranga Community Sports Centre Facility Expansion

$5,571,061

Waka Pacific Trust

Wero Climb

$250,000

West Auckland Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporated

Covered Riding Facility

$512,859

                                                                      Total

$14,348, 920

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Universities – Deep dive on deep-water reefs finds new marine species – Vic

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Source: Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington

Marine researchers from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington have discovered a species of sea squirt that is thought to be new to science.

The sea squirt was found off Rakiura Stewart Island while the researchers were exploring marine communities that live on the area’s deep-water reefs.

“We were off Port Pegasus at the southern end of Rakiura and we could see all these really unusual ‘egg’ shapes on the seafloor. Closer inspection revealed they were large, 30 cm tall sea squirts that we haven’t found in any other part of Aotearoa,” said Professor James Bell, a marine biologist at the university.

Marine ecologist Mike Page, an emeritus scientist from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, confirmed the sea squirt is likely to be a new species that is yet to be named.

Sea squirts, also known as ascidians, play a key role in maintaining water quality. They are filter feeders—creatures that feed on nutrients in the water column.

“Unusually, sea squirts dominated the marine communities on the deep-water reefs that we explored off Stewart Island. We typically find sponges are the dominant player on deep-water reefs in other parts of the country,” said Professor Bell.

The new species of sea squirt was found at a depth of 115 metres.

“The water off Stewart Island was really clear down at this depth. This probably reflects the fact there are no major rivers draining into the sea and there are still large areas of native forest on the island.”

Video footage of the reefs shows many different species of sea squirt, varying in colour from bright white to pinks, blues, and yellows.

The footage was taken using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that can film in waters of more than 100 m deep.

“Finding this sea squirt is a reminder that we still have so much to learn about the rich diversity of life in the ocean. It’s also a reminder of the need to ensure we protect our marine environment and the unique species it supports,” said Professor Bell.

The ROV used by the researchers to collect video footage was purchased with funding from the George Mason Charitable Trust.

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NZ-AU: IREN Reports Q2 FY25 Results

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Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-NZ-AU)

Record Revenue, $53.7m Operating Cashflow, $18.9m NPAT

75MW Liquid-Cooled Childress Data Center for AI / HPC (“Horizon 1”)

Developing New 600MW Sweetwater 2 Site

SYDNEY, Feb. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IREN Limited (NASDAQ: IREN) (together with its subsidiaries, “IREN” or “the Company”), today reported its financial results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2024. All $ amounts are in United States Dollars (“USD”) unless otherwise stated.

“We are pleased to report our Q2 FY25 results with record revenue and operating cashflow,” said Daniel Roberts, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of IREN. “The strategic investments we have made in scale and efficiency are starting to flow through to our earnings and we expect this momentum to continue.”

“We are also excited to announce transformative growth initiatives across the business. Firstly, Horizon 1, which is a new 75MW direct-to-chip liquid cooling deployment at Childress for AI / HPC. Secondly, developing a new 600MW Sweetwater 2 site located ~28 miles from our existing Sweetwater 1 project, expected to create a 2GW data center hub.”

Key Growth Initiatives

Horizon 1 – 75MW Liquid-Cooled Childress Data Center

  • 75MW gross (50MW IT load)
  • Direct-to-chip liquid cooling, power redundancy
  • Designed to support NVIDIA Blackwell (200kW rack density)
  • Strong commercial rationale
    • Scarcity of liquid-cooled data center capacity coupled with increasing demand from NVIDIA Blackwell coming to market
    • Construction plan providing enhanced delivery certainty for customers
  • Focused on multi-tenant AI colocation opportunities
  • Target completion H2 2025

Sweetwater 2 – new 600MW site, expected to create a 2GW Sweetwater Data Center Hub

  • Finalizing 600MW grid-connection agreement
  • Grid network studies complete
  • >500 acres of land secured
  • Located near existing Sweetwater 1 (~28 miles) and Abilene (~39 miles)
  • Design work underway for direct fiber loop between Sweetwater 1 and 2
  • Focused on highest value monetization pathways
    • Prioritizing whole-of-site, single tenant opportunities
    • Flexibility to bootstrap with Bitcoin mining
  • Sweetwater 1 energization on-track for April 2026 (1.4GW)
  • Sweetwater 2 energization expected in 2028 (600MW)

Expand Bitcoin mining from 31 EH/s to 52 EH/s

  • Large-scale operations
    • 31 EH/s installed
    • 50 EH/s expansion on-track for H1 2025
    • Horizon 1 adjusts prior expansion plan from 57 EH/s to 52 EH/s
    • Large sites, delivering economies of scale
  • Low-cost production
    • 15 J/TH fleet efficiency (current)
    • 3 c/kWh Childress power price (since transition to spot pricing)
    • ~75% hardware profit margin (January 2025)1

Corporate & Funding

  • US domestic issuer status confirmed to be adopted from H2 2025
  • Growth funding via convertible note proceeds, ATM facility, reinvesting operating cashflows, along with continued evaluation of additional funding structures
  • Prioritizing acceleration of new strategic growth initiatives and deferring consideration of potential investor distributions
  • The Q2 FY25 Results webcast will be recorded, and the replay will be accessible shortly after the event at https://iren.com/investor/events-and-presentations

Second Quarter FY25 Results

  • 129% increase in Bitcoin mining revenue of $113.5 million ($49.6 million in Q1 FY25), driven by growth in operating hashrate and higher Bitcoin prices during the quarter
  • 1,347 Bitcoin mined (813 Bitcoin in Q1 FY25), driven by growth in operating hashrate during the quarter
  • Net electricity costs remained relatively flat at $28.9 million ($28.7 million in Q1 FY25), despite 85% increase in average operating hashrate during the quarter, primarily due to Childress energy spot pricing strategy implemented on August 1, 2024
    • 39% decrease in net electricity cost per Bitcoin mined from $35,359 to $21,418
  • Other costs of $25.1 million ($21.4 million in Q1 FY25)
    • Primarily driven by $1.7 million increase in construction and operational insurance related to expansion at Childress
    • Reflects a business today that is delivering significant growth, and projecting continued expansion over the coming years
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $62.6 million ($2.6 million in Q1 FY25)
  • Net profit after income tax of $18.9 million (loss of $51.7 million in Q1 FY25)
  • Operating cash inflow of $53.7 million (cash outflow of $3.8 million in Q1 FY25)
  • Cash and cash equivalents of $427.3 million as of December 31, 2024
  • $440 million convertible note issued on December 6, 2024

Assumptions and Notes

  1. Reflects 75% hardware profit margin for the month of January 2025, calculated as Bitcoin mining revenue less Bitcoin mining electricity costs, divided by Bitcoin mining revenue and excluding all other costs.

Non-IFRS metric reconciliation

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation
(USD$m)1
3 months ended
Dec 31, 2024
3 months ended
Sep 30, 2024
Bitcoin mining revenue 113.5 49.6
AI cloud service revenue 2.7 3.2
Other income2 0.3
Net electricity costs3 (28.9) (28.7)
Other costs4 (25.1) (21.4)
Adjusted EBITDA 62.6 2.6
Adjusted EBITDA Margin 52% 5%
     
Reconciliation to consolidated statement of profit or loss    
Add/(deduct):    
Unrealized gain on financial asset 12.9
Share-based payment expense – $75 exercise price options (3.0) (3.1)
Share-based payment expense – other (4.9) (5.1)
Impairment of assets (9.5)
Reversal of impairment of assets 0.5
Foreign exchange gain/(loss) (4.6) 1.2
Other non-recurring income5 1.7
Gain/(loss) on disposal of property, plant and equipment (0.7) 0.8
Other expense items6 (1.7) (5.6)
EBITDA 62.7 (18.6)
Finance expense (6.3) (0.1)
Interest income 1.6 2.3
Depreciation (36.2) (34.0)
Loss before income tax expense for the period 21.9 (50.4)
Income tax expense (3.0) (1.3)
Loss after income tax expense for the period 18.9 (51.7)

 

1)  For further detail, see our unaudited interim financial statements for the period ended December 31, 2024, included in our Form 6-K filed with the SEC on February 12, 2025.
2)  Other income excludes ERS revenue which is included in Net electricity costs and other non-recurring income as described in footnote 5.
3)  Net electricity costs is a non-IFRS metric. See below table for a reconciliation to the nearest IFRS metric.
4)   Other costs include employee benefits expense, professional fees, site expenses, Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) and other operating expenses excluding other expense items as described in footnote 6.
5)  Other non-recurring income includes insurance proceeds relating to the theft of mining hardware in transit.
6)  Other expense items include a one-off liquidation payment incurred in August 2024 resulting from the transition to spot pricing at the Group’s site at Childress, the reversal of the unrealized loss recorded on fixed price contracted amounts outstanding at June 30, 2024, one-off professional fees incurred in relation to litigation matters, loss on theft of miners in transit and transaction costs incurred in December 2024 on entering the capped call transactions in conjunction with the issuance of the 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030.

    

Reconciliation of Electricity charges to Net electricity costs
(USD$m)
3 months ended
Dec 31, 2024
3 months ended
Sep 30, 2024
Electricity charges (30.2) (29.8)
Add/(deduct) the following:    
Realized gain/(loss) on financial asset (4.2)
One off liquidation payment (included in Realized gain/(loss) on financial asset)1 7.2
Reversal of unrealized loss (included in Realized gain/(loss) on financial asset)2 (3.4)
ERS revenue (included in Other income) 1.4 1.6
ERS fees (included in Other operating expenses) (0.1) (0.1)
Net electricity costs3 (28.9) (28.7)
Bitcoin mined 1,347 813
Net electricity costs per Bitcoin mined ($’000) (21.4) (35.4)
1)  One-off liquidation payment includes the amount paid to exit positions previously entered into under a fixed price and fixed quantity contract, on transition to a spot price and actual usage contract.
2)   Reversal of unrealized loss is calculated as the unrealized loss on financial asset as at June 30, 2024.
3) Net electricity costs exclude the cost of RECs of $(1.4)m for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and $(0.6)m for the three months ended September 30, 2024.
   

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or IREN’s future financial or operating performance. For example, forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the Company’s business strategy, expected operational and financial results, and expected increase in power capacity and hashrate. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “may,” “can,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “project,” “strive,” “budget,” “forecast,” “expect,” “intend,” “target”, “will,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “scheduled” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology, but the absence of these words does not mean that statement is not forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements or information that refer to expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, performance or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking.

These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause IREN’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking statements, including, but not limited to: Bitcoin price and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; IREN’s ability to obtain additional capital on commercially reasonable terms and in a timely manner to meet its capital needs and facilitate its expansion plans; the terms of any future financing or any refinancing, restructuring or modification to the terms of any future financing, which could require IREN to comply with onerous covenants or restrictions, and its ability to service its debt obligations, any of which could restrict its business operations and adversely impact its financial condition, cash flows and results of operations; IREN’s ability to successfully execute on its growth strategies and operating plans, including its ability to continue to develop its existing data center sites, including to design and deploy direct-to-chip liquid cooling systems, and to diversify and expand into the market for high performance computing (“HPC”) solutions it may offer (including the market for cloud services (“AI Cloud Services”) and potential colocation services; IREN’s limited experience with respect to new markets it has entered or may seek to enter, including the market for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services and potential colocation services); expectations with respect to the ongoing profitability, viability, operability, security, popularity and public perceptions of the Bitcoin network; expectations with respect to the profitability, viability, operability, security, popularity and public perceptions of any current and future HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services and potential colocation services) that IREN offers; IREN’s ability to secure and retain customers on commercially reasonable terms or at all, particularly as it relates to its strategy to expand into markets for HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services and potential colocation services); IREN’s ability to manage counterparty risk (including credit risk) associated with any current or future customers, including customers of its HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services and potential colocation services) and other counterparties; the risk that any current or future customers, including customers of its HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services and potential colocation services), or other counterparties may terminate, default on or underperform their contractual obligations; Bitcoin global hashrate fluctuations; IREN’s ability to secure renewable energy, renewable energy certificates, power capacity, facilities and sites on commercially reasonable terms or at all; delays associated with, or failure to obtain or complete, permitting approvals, grid connections and other development activities customary for greenfield or brownfield infrastructure projects; IREN’s reliance on power and utilities providers, third party mining pools, exchanges, banks, insurance providers and its ability to maintain relationships with such parties; expectations regarding availability and pricing of electricity; IREN’s participation and ability to successfully participate in demand response products and services and other load management programs run, operated or offered by electricity network operators, regulators or electricity market operators; the availability, reliability and/or cost of electricity supply, hardware and electrical and data center infrastructure, including with respect to any electricity outages and any laws and regulations that may restrict the electricity supply available to IREN; any variance between the actual operating performance of IREN’s miner hardware achieved compared to the nameplate performance including hashrate; IREN’s ability to curtail its electricity consumption and/or monetize electricity depending on market conditions, including changes in Bitcoin mining economics and prevailing electricity prices; actions undertaken by electricity network and market operators, regulators, governments or communities in the regions in which IREN operates; the availability, suitability, reliability and cost of internet connections at IREN’s facilities; IREN’s ability to secure additional hardware, including hardware for Bitcoin mining and any current or future HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services and potential colocation services) it offers, on commercially reasonable terms or at all, and any delays or reductions in the supply of such hardware or increases in the cost of procuring such hardware; expectations with respect to the useful life and obsolescence of hardware (including hardware for Bitcoin mining as well as hardware for other applications, including any current or future HPC solutions (including AI Cloud Services and potential colocation services) IREN offers); delays, increases in costs or reductions in the supply of equipment used in IREN’s operations; IREN’s ability to operate in an evolving regulatory environment; IREN’s ability to successfully operate and maintain its property and infrastructure; reliability and performance of IREN’s infrastructure compared to expectations; malicious attacks on IREN’s property, infrastructure or IT systems; IREN’s ability to maintain in good standing the operating and other permits and licenses required for its operations and business; IREN’s ability to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce its intellectual property rights and confidential information; any intellectual property infringement and product liability claims; whether the secular trends IREN expects to drive growth in its business materialize to the degree it expects them to, or at all; any pending or future acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures or other strategic transactions; the occurrence of any environmental, health and safety incidents at IREN’s sites, and any material costs relating to environmental, health and safety requirements or liabilities; damage to IREN’s property and infrastructure and the risk that any insurance IREN maintains may not fully cover all potential exposures; ongoing proceedings relating to the default by two of the Company’s wholly-owned special purpose vehicles under limited recourse equipment financing facilities; ongoing securities litigation relating in part to the default, and any future litigation, claims and/or regulatory investigations, and the costs, expenses, use of resources, diversion of management time and efforts, liability and damages that may result therefrom; IREN’s failure to comply with any laws including the anti-corruption laws of the United States and various international jurisdictions; any failure of IREN’s compliance and risk management methods; any laws, regulations and ethical standards that may relate to IREN’s business, including those that relate to Bitcoin and the Bitcoin mining industry and those that relate to any other services it offers, including laws and regulations related to data privacy, cybersecurity and the storage, use or processing of information and consumer laws; IREN’s ability to attract, motivate and retain senior management and qualified employees; increased risks to IREN’s global operations including, but not limited to, political instability, acts of terrorism, theft and vandalism, cyberattacks and other cybersecurity incidents and unexpected regulatory and economic sanctions changes, among other things; climate change, severe weather conditions and natural and man-made disasters that may materially adversely affect IREN’s business, financial condition and results of operations; public health crises, including an outbreak of an infectious disease and any governmental or industry measures taken in response; IREN’s ability to remain competitive in dynamic and rapidly evolving industries; damage to IREN’s brand and reputation; expectations relating to Environmental, Social or Governance issues or reporting; the costs of being a public company; the increased regulatory and compliance costs of IREN ceasing to be a foreign private issuer and an emerging growth company, as a result of which we will be required, among other things, to file periodic reports and registration statements on U.S. domestic issuer forms with the SEC commencing with our next fiscal year, and we will also be required to prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP rather than IFRS, and to modify certain of our policies to comply with corporate governance practices required of a U.S. domestic issuer; that we do not currently pay any cash dividends on our ordinary shares, and may not in the foreseeable future and, accordingly, your ability to achieve a return on your investment in our ordinary shares will depend on appreciation, if any, in the price of our ordinary shares; and other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in IREN’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on August 28, 2024 as such factors may be updated from time to time in its other filings with the SEC, accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of IREN’s website at https://investors.iren.com.

These and other important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements made in this investor update. Any forward-looking statement that IREN makes in this investor update speaks only as of the date of such statement. Except as required by law, IREN disclaims any obligation to update or revise, or to publicly announce any update or revision to, any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

This press release includes non-IFRS financial measures, including Net electricity costs, hardware profit margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin. We provide these measures in addition to, and not as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

There are a number of limitations related to the use of Net electricity costs, hardware profit margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin. For example, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate these measures differently. The Company believes that these measures are important and supplement discussions and analysis of its results of operations and enhances an understanding of its operating performance.

EBITDA is calculated as our IFRS profit/(loss) after income tax expense, excluding interest income, finance expense, income tax expense/(benefit) and depreciation, which are important components of our IFRS profit/(loss) after income tax expense. Further, “Adjusted EBITDA” also excludes share-based payments expense, foreign exchange gains and losses, impairment of assets, certain other non-recurring income, gain/loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, gain on disposal of subsidiaries, unrealized fair value gains and losses on financial instruments and certain other expense items.

Net electricity costs is calculated as our IFRS Electricity charges, ERS revenue (included in Other income) and ERS fees (included in Other operating expenses) and net of Realized gain/(loss) on financial asset excluding a one-off liquidation payment incurred in August 2024 resulting from the transition to spot pricing at the Group’s site at Childress and the reversal of the unrealized loss recorded on fixed price contracted amounts outstanding at June 30, 2024, and excludes the cost of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

Hardware profit margin is calculated Bitcoin mining revenue less Bitcoin mining electricity costs, divided by Bitcoin mining revenue and excluding all other costs.

About IREN

IREN is a leading data center business powering the future of Bitcoin, AI and beyond utilizing 100% renewable energy.

  • Bitcoin Mining: providing security to the Bitcoin network, expanding to 52 EH/s in 2025. Operations since 2019.
  • AI Cloud Services: providing cloud compute to AI customers, 1,896 NVIDIA H100 & H200 GPUs. Operations since 2024.
  • Next-Generation Data Centers: 510MW of operating data centers, expanding to 910MW in 2025. Specifically designed and purpose-built infrastructure for high-performance and power-dense computing applications.
  • Technology: technology stack for performance optimization of AI Cloud Services and Bitcoin Mining operations.
  • Development Portfolio: 2,310MW of grid-connected power secured across North America, >2,000 acre property portfolio and multi-gigawatt development pipeline.
  • 100% Renewable Energy (from clean or renewable energy sources or through the purchase of RECs): targets sites with low-cost & underutilized renewable energy, and supports electrical grids and local communities.

Contacts

Media

Jon Snowball
Sodali & Co
+61 477 946 068
+61 423 136 761

Gillian Roberts
Aircover Communications
+1 818 395 2948
gillian.roberts@aircoverpr.com

Investors

Lincoln Tan
IREN
+61 407 423 395 lincoln.tan@iren.com

 

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– Published by The MIL Network