General Infrastructure Discussion

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B.C. says AI and data centre projects must compete for power in new selection process

British Columbia's government is launching a competitive selection process for artificial intelligence and data centre projects that would see companies fight over a set amount of power.

B.C. Energy Minister Adrian Dix said companies that apply could gain access to a total of 400 megawatts of electricity over a two-year period.

"The new approach (prioritizes projects) that support long-term economic, environmental, community and data sovereignty benefits," Dix told a news conference Friday.

He added the requirement does not apply to traditional industries like liquefied natural gas, forestry or mining.

The selection process will allow the government to manage high demand for electricity by limiting the power certain industries can access, he said.

Dix said the announcement is in response to climbing electricity rates in certain U.S. states, which some experts attribute to the power demand from new and planned data centres.

A competitive process awarding companies that offer the most economic and environmental benefits is the right path forward, Dix said.

"That shows that we've learned from other jurisdictions that have had an extremely negative economic effect," he said.

https://www.biv.com/news/resources-agric...-power-in-new-selection-process-11815923