British Columbia Launches Selection Process for AI and Data Centre Projects
British Columbia’s government is rolling out a competitive selection process for companies vying for access to 400 megawatts of electricity over two years for their artificial intelligence and data centre projects.
During a recent news conference, B.C. Energy Minister Adrian Dix emphasized that this new approach prioritizes projects that offer long-term economic, environmental, community, and data sovereignty benefits. Notably, this initiative excludes traditional industries like liquefied natural gas, forestry, and mining.
The goal of this selection process is to manage the high demand for electricity by limiting the power certain industries can tap into. Dix highlighted that this strategy comes in response to escalating electricity rates in some U.S. states, mainly driven by the power needs of new and planned data centres.
By adopting a competitive process that rewards companies providing the most economic and environmental advantages, the government aims to avoid the negative economic repercussions experienced elsewhere.
Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon believes that this new process will attract investments from AI and data centres, leading to the creation of tech jobs. BC Hydro forecasts a 15% or more increase in electricity demand in B.C. by 2030, necessitating a structured approach to manage power requests effectively.
BC Hydro CEO Charlotte Mitha stressed the importance of this competitive process in handling the rising demand for electricity while offering a fair and transparent path for emerging proponents.
The government has set a deadline for project applications until March 18, with existing projects being exempt from this requirement. Successful applicants are expected to be notified by late summer or early fall.
Keyphrase: BC data centre projects