Houston says Nova Scotia’s position on data centres has changed
Premier Tim Houston says his position on data centres has evolved, opening the door to potential projects in Nova Scotia, but he insists the province won’t allow new industrial demand to drive up electricity costs for existing customers.
A data centre is being considered on the site owned by EverWind Fuels in Point Tupper.
In June, Houston indicated the province would only consider data centres once major generation projects were operational.
Houston says the sentiment behind those earlier comments remains the same: protecting ratepayers.
But, now, several things have changed including developments around geopolitical and the federal government’s approach to data sovereignty.
Houston says those federal considerations have influenced how his government is looking at potential data-centre proposals.
Rather than simply asking whether Nova Scotia has enough electricity to accommodate another large industrial user, he says the province wants to establish a broader set of requirements.
Those would include understanding the environmental impact of a facility, its water usage and its effect on electricity rates.
Houston says any data-centre proposal would have to meet or exceed the requirements established federally and demonstrate that the project is “good for Nova Scotia”.
That represents a shift from the Premier’s earlier position, but it does not amount to an open invitation for data-centre development.
Instead, Houston says the province would consider opportunities on a case-by-case basis, with conditions attached.
Regulation or legislation?
Houston says his government is not waiting for a future legislative session before setting expectations.
He has already established what he expects from potential proponents.
“I’ve set my own regulations pretty clearly on what will be required”, says Houston.
He adds that Nova Scotia is willing to have the conversation about data centres, but not at the expense of existing electricity customers or the province’s broader environmental and resource priorities.
