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Global opposition to data centre expansion

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2026-10-25 04:22 UTC → 2026-10-25 22:31 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Public and regulatory opposition to the expansion of large-scale data centres is increasing globally, driven by concerns over resource consumption and infrastructure strain. In Canada, an Angus Reid Institute survey shows 64% of Canadians want provincial governments to limit development, with opposition reaching 72% in Manitoba and Atlantic Canada. Primary concerns include high water usage (51%) and potential increases in electricity bills (38%). While the federal government has introduced ‘Canada’s Responsible Data Centre Development Principles’, major projects continue, including Meta’s $13-billion campus near Edmonton and Bell’s proposed 1.2-gigawatt AI hub in Saskatchewan. In New Brunswick, residents in Saint John are protesting projects by VoltaGrid, Beacon Data Centers, and Cross River Infrastructure Partners over noise, pollution, and grid stability. International resistance is also intensifying. In Scotland, the Foundation for Gaia has urged the government to implement binding resource-use limits following CX Tech’s proposal for a £16.5 billion, 1GW campus. In South Wales, Newport residents are protesting hyperscale facilities, citing noise from cooling systems and fumes from diesel generator testing. In Australia, community backlash led property developer Goodman to withdraw a $1.2 billion facility plan in Sydney, while Victoria has moved to ban data centres near sensitive sites. In Ireland, the sector faces scrutiny regarding its impact on the national electricity grid, climate targets, and energy security. Novelist Sally Rooney has emerged as a prominent critic, describing data centres as a ‘disaster’ due to their ‘wasteful consumption of electricity.’ In response, Ronan Kelly, chief executive of Digital Infrastructure Ireland, labeled the author a ‘hypocrite,’ arguing that her reliance on print publishing also carries a significant carbon footprint. In the United States, community resistance remains high in Kentucky and North Carolina. ~~Experts warn that this growing social and regulatory pushback poses risks to industry valuations and could lead to higher costs for AI and cloud computing infrastructure.~~

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