REGINA — Premier Scott Moe is highlighting a $12-billion AI data centre project near Regina as a major economic shift for Saskatchewan, while acknowledging ongoing public concerns.
Speaking to reporters at Canada’s Farm Show, where Moe spoke at the kickoff breakfast event, the announcement was still fresh about the 300-megawatt data centre project being located in the RM of Sherwood, a project touted as the largest in Canada. More than 1,600 jobs are expected to result from it.
"It really, I think, represents a shift as well in what we do here in this province," Moe said to reporters.
"We're traditionally a provider of developing the natural resources that we have, mining, oil production, and, of course, agriculture. This is new for our province, and I think it's significant in diversifying our jobs and our opportunity as Saskatchewan and Regina residents."
Moe said there will be no direct provincial money in the data centre itself. However, he pointed to the high-paying careers in the AI space that are directly and indirectly associated with the $12-billion investment.
Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski also spoke further to reporters about the AI data centre project. A key aspect of the project that he pointed to was that there would be no municipal water required for the project, something many area residents were concerned about.
"We heard very clearly that some of the concerns around water usage and those were addressed," Bachynski said. "I know that there's going to be more information, technical information coming out to mitigate other concerns around noise and other areas that people may have some questions about. But overall, from the city's perspective on the data centre, we're seeing a massive investment close to our community. We see partnerships that are flourishing between our educational institutions in terms of the U of (Regina) and Sask Polytech, as well as partnerships with George Gordon First Nation just outside the city. For me, that announcement was a very historic moment in our province to move into a sector that is, frankly, on the forefront of the world stage."
While officials have been buoyant about the project, there are still concerns expressed from the public about it, with some complaints that it is going in an area of prime farmland.
Premier Moe responded there is "a lot of prime farmland in the province." The reason the location was selected, he said, was because it was close to an urban centre and post-secondary institutes where professional careers can be developed, and he also pointed to "very willing partners in the city of Regina, the RM of Sherwood, George Gordon First Nation."
Another factor, said Moe, was that the location in the RM was "where the interconnect is."
"The power is there. So there's available power nearby. We don't have to build a transmission line, for example, out to the GTH or somewhere else, which is filling up with the Cargill outbuild there."
Moe points to large amount of investment happening in the province
Moe pointed to a large amount of investment happening in the province at this point in time. In remarks to the audience at Canada’s Farm Show, he noted the $12-billion investment in the AI data centre project represented their 60th significant project underway or announced in the province, with more than $62 billion of private-sector investment that has come into the province.
He also pointed to other investments on the way, including BASF investing $27 million into expansion of its research facility specific to its canola grain program, an announcement made that morning.
Moe also pointed to the doubling of capacity at the Richardson canola crush plant in Yorkton and the Cargill canola crush plant opening closer to Regina this spring. He called this activity "unlike any other time in the province's history," and unlike any other province in Canada.
"It really speaks to the significance of, you know, how we're presenting ourselves in the markets of interest around the world," Moe said to reporters.
"We not only in the years ahead are going to have to have market access for the products that we traditionally produce, which is today in that $45-to-$50 billion of value in exports, but now we are going to have another potash mine coming on, a few more uranium mines, a copper mine… it's a significant time for us just to pause, have a look at where we are in Saskatchewan and where we're going, and I would say that this is, you know, really a special time for a province."
Overall, heading into what is expected to be a challenging budget announcement on Wednesday, Moe was still optimistic about where Saskatchewan stands.
"One is we're seeing significant investment in this province, which I think really speaks to some bright days ahead for the province of Saskatchewan. Careers, opportunity, and that investment is showing no signs of letting up. People from around the world are choosing, and industries are choosing to invest their dollars in this province. That, to me, is exciting."
But Moe also noted the global uncertainty and unrest.
"So the global uncertainty really does cause me some pause, and it's likely the last thing that's on my mind when I go to bed any night, including the night before budget, and as I wake up in the morning somewhat nervous about turning on the news to see what has happened over the night," Moe said.
"You know, Saskatchewan is in a good place to weather the challenges that we're facing. But there are challenges. They are present today. As I said, you're going to see that reflected in the budget day numbers. And that global uncertainty is really a challenge for a province that exports to over 160 countries around the world."
