The CEO of techNL says AI data centres are not as draining on the environment as some might think they are.
Concerns about such centres have been raised in other jurisdictions, with people worried about things like the amount of water needed to run them.
Andrea King pushes back against some of those concerns, saying data centres use “way less” water than the figures reported in some media.
King has heard that the amount of water used by data centres is comparable to that of a golf course.
She believes there may actually be some environmental benefits that come with the facilities.
A data centre used to power OpenAI (OpenAI)
She says the heat produced by data centres can be used to heat office buildings and homes, and ultimately lead to a more efficient use of energy. She thinks it is “absolutely” worth the province looking into the facilities.
King does acknowledge, however, that there are environmental risks, noting that the energy used to power the facilities could be used for other industries.
She says a “wholistic approach” is needed in determining whether one should be set up in this province.
That said, King states that other province’s are striking “attractive” deals that result in more tax revenue and infrastructure money. She says it is “hard to say no to that much money.”
