Engie is in talks to attract a data centre operator to install one of its energy-hungry facilities at the site of a huge renewable generation park proposed for NSW’s western Riverina region as part of ambitious growth plans.

Laura Caspari, head of local renewables at the French utility giant, said bringing energy-intensive users like data centres to its generation and storage sites would sidestep the biggest roadblocks in reaching the company’s 3 gigawatt target for 2030 – the slow built-out of transmission.