Site Development
Site development within The Mills Network is governed by long-horizon planning, phased delivery, and alignment with external systems rather than accelerated construction schedules.
A constraint-led process
The development of new sites begins with the identification and evaluation of constraints. These include energy availability, transmission capacity, water systems, environmental conditions, regulatory frameworks, and long-term land-use considerations.
Constraints are not treated as obstacles to be overcome, but as signals that shape site suitability over time. Locations are assessed on the basis of whether constraints can be addressed predictably and transparently across extended operational lifecycles.
This approach reduces downstream risk and supports sustained operation without reliance on exceptional approvals or compensatory measures.
Phased development model
Site development proceeds through defined phases rather than single, monolithic builds. Early phases focus on feasibility, permitting, and system alignment before any irreversible construction commitments are made.
Subsequent phases introduce capacity incrementally, allowing infrastructure to scale in parallel with energy systems, transmission upgrades, and operational readiness.
Phasing preserves optionality and enables adjustment in response to changes in external conditions without compromising overall site integrity.
Regulatory and environmental alignment
Regulatory review and environmental assessment are integral components of site development rather than procedural checkpoints. Engagement with authorities begins early and continues throughout the lifecycle of a site.
Development processes account for environmental impact, resource stewardship, and long-term regional planning objectives. Where mitigation measures are required, they are incorporated into site design, sequencing, and operational planning.
This alignment supports predictable approvals and sustained legitimacy over time.
Integration with external systems
New sites are developed as components of broader systems rather than standalone facilities. This includes integration with energy generation and transmission infrastructure, water systems, transport access, and communications networks.
Coordination with system operators and service providers ensures that site development aligns with maintenance schedules, upgrade cycles, and long-term capacity planning.
Integration reduces the likelihood of isolated bottlenecks and supports resilient operation under variable conditions.
Standardised foundations
While sites differ in geography and regulatory context, development follows a set of shared foundational standards. These standards define interfaces, safety expectations, and operational readiness criteria.
Standardised foundations enable consistency across the Network while allowing local adaptation in design and execution.
This balance supports efficient replication without imposing uniform physical configurations.
Transition to operations
Site development concludes with a structured transition to steady-state operation. This transition includes validation of infrastructure performance, integration with network-wide operational standards, and handover to dedicated operating teams.
Post-development review processes capture lessons learned and inform future site planning across the Network.
The ongoing management of developed sites is described under Operations Overview and Infrastructure Principles.