Data center in Catino: A popular project… Power shortage

Washington, London, Madrid… all the major capitals of the world have multiple data centers. Not the National Capital Region, wonders entrepreneur John Malone. This New York specialist in developing new infrastructures was struck by some data centers near Ottawa.

Seeing a new market there, he decided to invest. He announced the formation of GDH on February 10, 2022, along with his company AVAIO Capital and local real estate firm ADAM.Catino Data Hub), a futuristic high-capacity data center (48.8 MW or the equivalent of 18,000 homes supplied with electricity) located on Avenue des Enterprises in Gatineau.

” When we spoke to Hydro-Québec about our interest in the National Capital Region, they recommended Gatineau to us. »

But after a few months, the project got delayed. In September, Hydro-Québec informed us that due to changes in the way they operate, the electricity capacity for our project is on hold. Since then we have been waitingJohn Malone in a nutshell.

Questioned by Radio-Canada, Hydro-Québec declined to grant an interview on the file, citing reasons of confidentiality.

Due to the increasing demand, the state-owned company cannot supply electricity to everyone. The government decided to impose pre-approval on February 15 for any project requiring at least 5 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

In the current environment of tightening energy balance and increasing electrification of the economy, it is necessary to select the most promising projects and allocate the available electricity judiciously.The Quebec Ministry of Economy, Innovation and Energy (MEIE) justified the bill after it was adopted^oh 2 (new window).

A spokesman for the ministry, Jean-Pierre D’Auteuil, confirmed to Radio-Canada that the AVAIO project is still under study.

Town hall to the rescue of the project

According to the mayor of Gatineau, the project should be prioritized by Quebec. In a letter, a copy of which is dated February 3, 2023, France Belisle expressly asks Economy, Innovation and Energy Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon to approve the merger.

I support the project GDH Considering its significant importance to GodinoMayer writes. We would like to encourage Hydro-Québec to provide all the necessary support to ensure that the project is launched as soon as possible.

The Mayor of Gatineau, Frans Belisle, supported the project along with Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy Pierre Fitzgibbon.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Ivano Demers

” This will be the first project [de centre de données] Size in Catino and National Capital Region. »

MNA for Gatineau, Robert Bussière, is protecting the file. A local politician says it’s a good project that will require a total investment of around $500 million anyway. It will bring fifty beautiful live jobs.

However, this is very weak job creation, according to Antoine Normand, president of In-Sec-M, the Canadian cluster of the cybersecurity industry.

A data center is not economic growthhe said. It only takes a few people to maintain a data center. This pales in comparison to, for example, the research and development department of a multinational corporation that creates new, higher-quality jobs.

Aware of this reality, New York entrepreneurs emphasize the positive effects a data center can have on local tech sectors.

Studies show us that when a new data center is introduced in new markets, additional jobs are created in that sectorJohn Malone says. We’re talking three to four times more jobs than a data center.

John Malone, Founding Director of AVAIO Capital

Photo: Radio-Canada

Quebec is very attractive to energy-intensive businesses. 1 in 6.5% even after the rate hike for companies^R In April of this year, Quebec electricity was one of the cheapest in the North American market.

Another strong argument for all cloud computing service providers now aims for carbon neutrality: the so-called energy Green.

On its website, Hydro-Québec prides itself on North America’s leading renewable energy producerBy supplying electricity from Clean source, 99% renewable and low greenhouse gas emissions.

If the power connection request is accepted MEIE, the project is not guaranteed. Another ministry needs to be appeased: environment and the fight against climate change. If wet soil is found on the ground, environmental authorization is required.