A proposed data center in west Saint John is anticipated to have minimal impact on the city’s industrial water supply, as per the environmental impact assessment registration document. The center, incorporating a natural gas power plant, is projected to require a substantial 390 megawatts of power, ranking it among the top greenhouse gas emitters in the province.
Beacon New Brunswick and VoltaGrid, the companies behind the project, claim that the data center will use a water-based cooling system that minimizes water consumption significantly compared to other designs. They anticipate entering into a long-term commercial agreement spanning 15 to 20 years with an undisclosed customer. Data centers are pivotal for storing vast amounts of data and facilitating various online services.
Concerns have been raised about the water usage of data centers, but the initial water intake for this system is estimated to be only 3.5 million liters, a fraction of what other industrial users in the area consume. The closed-loop cooling system of the data center is compared to a household heating system by Mayor Donna Reardon, emphasizing its manageable water consumption.
During a public meeting, VoltaGrid CEO Nathan Ough, a Saint John native, assured residents that water requirements would be minimal. The natural gas power plant associated with the data center is proposed to be highly efficient, although it would still rank among the top industrial greenhouse gas emitters in New Brunswick.
Green Party Leader David Coon emphasizes the importance of powering data centers with renewable energy sources to mitigate their environmental impact. The data center project is slated to require 390 megawatts of power, with the on-site natural gas facility supplying 190 MW and the rest expected to be provided by N.B. Power.
The development, to be situated in the Lorneville Industrial Park on a 120-hectare parcel, received rezoning approval from the Saint John city council. Despite support for new business development, concerns persist about the project’s impact on the environment, particularly the destruction of wetlands and old-growth forest. The environmental impact assessment process will play a crucial role in ensuring environmental protection as the project moves forward.
Construction is anticipated to commence this year pending necessary approvals, with the data center and energy infrastructure expected to be operational by 2028 for a minimum of 25 to 30 years. Further technical reviews and public consultations are scheduled as part of the assessment process.