The Financial Post reports in its Wednesday, July 29, edition that a new Leger survey reveals that Albertans have mixed feelings about data centres. Postmedia's Graison Foster writes that 42 per cent support a temporary pause on new approvals for large artificial intelligence data centres until an independent public review is conducted on their impacts, while another 40 per cent believe Alberta should continue approving them to avoid losing investment and jobs. Overall, opinions are nearly evenly divided.
Data centres consume vast amounts of electricity, and Leger surveyed opinions on who should bear the cost. Only 12 per cent of respondents believe data centres should access Alberta's power grid at the same rates as other large industrial users.
Half went further. Twenty-nine per cent of respondents believe data centres should generate their own power and pay for grid connection, aligning with existing provincial requirements. Meanwhile, 22 per cent oppose their approval altogether. A similar proportion supports grid access only if operators cover the full costs.
Leger counts 194 active data centres across Canada, drawing 1.6 gigawatts between them. Meta's would draw one gigawatt by itself.
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