EverWind Fuels is taking its proposed 420-megawatt AI data center campus to two Cape Breton open houses this week as residents press for answers on water, electricity and environmental concerns.
Richmond County lists the first meeting in D’Escousse on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and the second in Lower River Inhabitants on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The county says the program includes a project presentation, information posters and time to speak with EverWind staff.
Residents raised concerns about water, electricity and consultation at an Oct. 30 information-sharing event, Your Quad Counties reported. Madonna Bernard told the outlet that elders had urged people to “educate people first and foremost.”
The sessions follow Nova Scotia New Democratic Party leader Claudia Chender’s call for an emergency legislative debate on EverWind’s data center and wind proposal.
EverWind’s Oct. 16 announcement describes more than 10 billion in planned investment across the campus and its onshore wind portfolio. It allocates more than 8 billion to the campus and 2 billion to wind projects, but does not specify a currency. Reuters reported that the combined investment exceeds C$10 billion.
The company plans an initial 95-megawatt build in late 2027, with another 325 megawatts targeted for 2028. EverWind says both phases depend on commercial, technical and regulatory conditions. Based on its current design, the company estimates daily water use at about 100,000 litres in the first phase and an average of about 500,000 litres at full build-out. It says air will handle most cooling, with water-assisted cooling during the hottest weather.
EverWind projects about 2,000 construction positions and 215 permanent operating positions across the campus and wind portfolio. It also estimates more than C$400 million in municipal tax revenue over the projects’ lifetimes and says it plans a community-benefit program worth tens of millions of dollars. The company says it will cover electricity-system costs attributable to the project and wait for required studies and approvals before connecting the planned expansion to the grid.
EverWind’s announcement describes the customer as a “leading frontier AI developer” but does not name it. Reuters reported, citing a company executive, that Anthropic has leased capacity at the site. The first open house is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, followed by the Lower River Inhabitants meeting Wednesday, Nov. 4.
