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Data centre and energy infrastructure development in Nova_S_

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2026-10-19 17:12 UTC → 2026-10-19 20:55 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Nova Scotia’s approach to data centre development has evolved from cautious skepticism to large-scale investment. Initially, Premier Tim Houston suggested it was premature to discuss data centres before completing major energy projects, but he later softened this stance, noting such developments could drive demand for energy infrastructure. During this period, the province also faced a record $1.4 billion deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Following these policy shifts, EverWind announced a plan to invest more than $10 billion in the province. This includes $8 billion for a data centre campus at the Point Tupper industrial site and $2 billion for onshore wind power projects. The data centre project is expected to begin with a 95-megawatt phase in late 2027, followed by a larger expansion in 2028. The investment is projected to create approximately 2,000 construction jobs and 215 permanent positions. EverWind has also signed the Government of Canada’s ‘Responsible Data Centre Development Principles’. In October 2026, AI company Anthropic signed a lease agreement for its first Canadian data centre, to be located at the EverWind Fuels campus in Point Tupper. The facility is intended to power the company’s Claude models. As part of the commitment to responsible development, EverWind has pledged to utilize a closed-loop cooling system and fully fund electricity system network upgrade costs. The broader project aims to expand to a total compute capacity of 420 MW by 2028. However, the project has drawn political scrutiny. Nova Scotia opposition leaders, including NDP Leader Claudia Chender and Liberal MLA Becky Druhan, have called for an emergency legislative debate. Critics argue the government is relying on non-binding federal guidelines rather than formal provincial laws to manage impacts on water usage, electricity rates, and local communities. Public concern has also manifested in a Change.org petition that has gathered over 12,000 signatures.

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