MP calls on New Brunswick to reject proposed AI data centre in open letter to premier
Conservative MP John Williamson says the proposed AI centre in Saint John will trigger electricity rate hikes for nearby residents.
A New Brunswick member of Parliament has penned an open letter to Premier Susan Holt, urging her to reject a proposed artificial intelligence (AI) data centre in Saint John. MP John Williamson argues that the project could cause severe strain on the regional power grid, resulting in higher electricity rates for local residents. The AI data centre, proposed by Beacon Data Centers, would demand 200 megawatts of electricity, surpassing NB Power's existing capacity.
Williamson claims the Liberal premier highlighted the project at a Toronto investment summit despite the lack of provincial approval. The New Brunswick government maintains that new data centres must compensate for the costs they inflict and must not lead to increased electricity rates. Beacon AI insists its project requires 390 megawatts of energy, but Williamson contends that the company is not committed to generating its own power.
Williamson met with representatives from Beacon AI several months ago, but they declined to generate all their electricity on-site. Therefore, Williamson asks the provincial government to "play hardball" with potential data centre developers to protect ratepayers from significant price hikes.
Written by urgent.news from Global News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
