Nova Scotia’s opposition is seeking an emergency legislative debate on EverWind’s proposed data center and wind projects, as questions about electricity costs, water use and public input accompany the investment plan.
Nova Scotia New Democratic Party leader Claudia Chender has asked Premier Tim Houston to recall the legislature and wants binding rules for data centers. Liberal legislator Becky Druhan supported an emergency sitting in a separate letter, Global News reported.
EverWind announced Oct. 16 that it plans more than C$10 billion in private investment: more than C$8 billion for a data center campus at Point Tupper and C$2 billion for wind projects in Nova Scotia. It targets a 95-megawatt first phase in late 2027. A further 325 megawatts is targeted for 2028, subject to commercial, technical and regulatory conditions.
Reuters reported that Anthropic has leased capacity at the site, citing a company executive. EverWind had disclosed a long-term lease for the first phase without identifying the customer.
Canada’s Responsible Data Centre Development Principles call for local benefits, protection for electricity customers, efforts to minimize water use and transparency about local effects. The federal government says the principles complement existing approval processes.
EverWind says it will pay electricity-system costs attributable to its project. Grid studies will examine costs, reliability and effects on other customers. Under the company’s current design, estimated water use is about 100,000 litres a day in the first phase and an average of about 500,000 litres a day at full development.
Richmond County community advocate Julissa Stewart told Global News that residents wanted a say before the project advanced. Houston told the outlet that existing environmental and industrial approval processes would apply.
EverWind estimates construction would provide about 2,000 jobs as development proceeds, followed by 215 permanent operating jobs across the campus and wind projects. The company says it will wait for the required grid studies and approvals before connecting the proposed expansion.
