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As artificial intelligence data centres pop up across North America, the energy-sucking facilities are not something Nova Scotia is “actively pursuing,” said Premier Tim Houston on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Asked whether his government would ever consider approving such a project, Houston said the province\u2019s current energy availability would be a limiting factor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis discussion\u2019s so far in the future,\u201d he told reporters following a cabinet meeting in Halifax.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere wouldn\u2019t be a commitment to a data centre unless we could fully supply the energy without any risk to Nova Scotians. We wouldn\u2019t put Nova Scotians\u2019 grid at risk and we wouldn\u2019t put their health at risk.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
In Canada, there are five hyperscale data centres \u2014 massive, more advanced facilities powering the AI boom. But a recent York University study<\/a> said there are 96 facilities with a capacity of 100 megawatts or more either proposed or under construction across the country.<\/p>\n Many of these projects have been the subject of large protests<\/a>, as demonstrators express concerns about their potential environmental and health impacts.<\/p>\n While some provinces such as Alberta<\/a> have been receptive to the idea of data centres, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew most recently turned down a large project pitched for south of Winnipeg.\u00a0<\/p>\n In Saint John<\/a>, two companies trying to build a data centre have said the facility wouldn\u2019t use much water compared to other nearby industrial operations. The New Brunswick city has been touted as a “hidden gem”<\/a> for AI. <\/p>\n