Second night for community questions on Nova Scotia’s first proposed AI data centre

Cape Bretoners with inquiries about Nova Scotia's inaugural artificial intelligence data centre have a second opportunity to voice their thoughts. The second of two information sessions by EverWind Fuels will take place this evening in Lower River Inhabitants, a rural town in southern Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The inaugural session in D’Escousse, Nova Scotia, lasted late due to the large turnout, with over 200 people filling the community hall to learn from company representatives.

During Tuesday's session, residents asked about safeguards and environmental protections for the $10-billion, 18,600-square-metre AI data centre to be constructed in Point Tupper, Nova Scotia, which is expected to commence operation by the end of 2027. Concerns were also raised about the American AI giant, Anthropic, which has signed a 20-year lease for the facility, with 95 megawatts of electricity consumption during its initial phase, followed by a 325-megawatt expansion in 2028.

EverWind officials acknowledged the residents' valid concerns, spanning from environmental protections to employment prospects, and assured that additional consultations were on the horizon.