EverWind promises jobs, big tax revenues, and local community benefits from AI data centre construction in Nova Scotia

EverWind Fuels is promising millions in benefits to communities as part of its development in Point Tupper, with public engagement planned for the coming months. 

During an announcement at EverWind’s Point Tupper site Friday, the green energy company announced plans for a $10 billion investment in Nova Scotia. The project, which officials called the largest private sector investment in the province’s history, includes $8 billion toward a data centre with $2 billion going toward onshore wind energy development across the province. 

“It’s a significant vote of confidence, a significant opportunity for our province,” Houston said at the announcement, emphasizing the benefits that could be brought to the province, particularly jobs. 

According to EverWind, the developments are projected to create around 2,000 jobs while in construction, as well as 215 permanent positions once in operation. 

The company is proposing dedicating tens of millions of dollars’ worth of community benefits through the project’s first phase, in addition to a projected $400 million in municipal tax revenue over both projects’ lifetimes.

For Richmond County Warden Lois Landry, the investment could be a major opportunity for the Strait region. She said the funding could help with priorities like health care, housing and infrastructure. 

“For a municipality of our size, that is significant,” Landry said. 

EverWind said the funding and how it will be allocated will be worked out with the communities and the data centre customer. 

Another focus is Mi’kmaw involvement in the projects. First Nations communities in the area could get an ownership stake in the data centre, with EverWind in talks with a consortium headed by the Membertou Development Corp. 

In an email, Membertou Chief Terry Paul said his community has been working with EverWind since it started projects in Cape Breton and already holds a 51 per cent ownership stake in the proposed wind projects. 

“Our community will not only realize economic benefits but employment opportunities, too,” Paul said. 

He added that EverWind has been in contact with other nearby Mi’kmaw communities, including having a memorandum of understanding with the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs. 

“As partners, we’ve been closely learning and understanding how this data centre project will work,” the chief said. “It is one of the most sustainable and responsible projects from a consumption and resource perspective in North America. “ 

EverWind is planning to have public sessions on the proposed data centre, though no dates have been confirmed. 

Landry said that as work progresses, engaging with communities will be critical. 

“Residents deserve good information and opportunities to ask questions, express their concerns and understand what this proposal could mean for their communities.” 

She added that she was pleased to see EverWind’s plans for engagement, encouraging residents to take part in sharing their thoughts and concerns. 

“(The) announcement . . .should begin a more informed public conversation, not to conclude one,” said Landry. 

Concerns regarding a data centre’s effects on residents include environmental impacts and increasing power bills. 

“Under current design assumptions, the initial phase is expected to use approximately 100,000 litres of water per day, roughly comparable to the daily water use of a large shopping mall,” an EverWind news release said.

With projects of this size, Landry cautioned that questions about water use, electricity rates and the environment need to be answered. 

“Equally fundamental to our consideration of this proposal has been responsible development,” she said. 

To combat water usage, EverWind said the data centre will have a closed-loop cooling system. As for power use and rates, EverWind said it will cover the bill for necessary system upgrades. 

“The company will fully fund all connection, network upgrade and other electricity system costs attributable to the development, so those costs are not passed on to Nova Scotia ratepayers,” the release said. 

Houston said the commitments protecting ratepayers and natural resources made the development “especially important.” 

“This is the kind of responsible growth that helps build a stronger, more prosperous future for Nova Scotians,” he said in the statement accompanying the announcement. 

NDP Leader Claudia Chender put out a statement calling on the premier to protect Nova Scotians from rising power rates. 

“The Houston government is supporting this project without any discussion, consultation, legislation or regulations,” Chender said. 

She questioned whether the premier’s assurances were enough to protect Nova Scotians, adding that the public should not have to trust his word alone, especially considering Houston’s change of heart on data centres.

“The premier is saying people should just trust his word that Nova Scotians will be protected,” she said. “But he keeps saying one thing and doing another.”