SASKATOON — The Saskatchewan NDP has called on the government for transparency in the approval process for hyperscale artificial intelligence data centres, saying that residents deserve clear answers and information about the financial, environmental and energy impacts of projects that could reshape the province's power grid.
Shadow Minister for Tech, Innovation and AI Brittney Senger, along with NDP Leader Carla Beck, said that the government has failed to properly inform the public on proposed data centres and the role they may play in driving Saskatchewan's energy policy. She added that they are not opposed to data centres, but these types of projects need public consultation and accountability before granting approvals.
"Hyperscale data centres are new technology to Saskatchewan. People rightfully have concerns. They have questions,” said Senger, who added that the government owes the people answers, especially on the lack of consultation and environmental assessment.
She said that residents are worried about the impact on electricity rates, affordability, digital sovereignty and the environment, and the opposition has stepped in to hear from residents because people have valid concerns and questions, adding that people should be angry as the government has failed to be transparent and did not hold public consultations.
"People rightfully have questions, and they deserve answers to those questions regarding transparency. The government isn't doing the work when they need to. People have been asking questions about what these data centres mean for their power rates, for their security and for the environment. They're just looking for information," Senger said.
She accused the government of shutting the public out of the conversation, accusing the government of withholding key details from the public.
Beck said concerns surrounding data centres will continue to grow unless the government provides clear information about project costs, electricity demand and environmental impacts, and recent analysis showed the cost of coal-powered plants' refurbishment is the most expensive option to decide to double down on the old energy source.
She added that newly released SaskPower documents suggest the government's $46-billion coal refurbishment plan is intended to provide electricity for AI data centres, despite previous claims the coal refurbishment plan was the most affordable option for the province’s power needs. She argued the government has refused to answer basic and valid questions about costs and environmental impacts.
She called “farcical” the government’s claim of ensuring affordability and reliability of the province’s utility services, as interest in establishing and investing in data centres is increasing in Saskatchewan.
"Today we revealed that the Sask. Party admitted that their $46 billion coal refurbishment is the only way to support the construction of data centres. This is a plan that, according to SaskPower's own documents, will double rates and make the electricity grid less reliable,” said Beck.
“The Sask. Party's own hand-picked Reeve for the [Rural Municipality] of Sherwood admitted that when it came to the consultation on the data centre, it was clear the general public was not aware of what was going on. This is a government that has proven time and again that they can't be trusted.”
Government says NDP is misrepresenting evidence
The government, in a statement, clarified that all existing and potential data centre projects must meet all the requirements stated under municipal, provincial and federal legislation, which include obtaining any necessary permits and approvals, including any that may be required under The Environmental Management and Protection Act 2010.
“The government also called the NDP ‘unserious’ and said the NDP is deliberately misrepresenting SaskPower's evidence to the Rate Review Panel, and reiterated that Saskatchewan’s electrical system is designed to meet the entire province’s energy needs, not only a single customer.
“Maintaining reliable baseload generation ensures Saskatchewan families, businesses, hospitals, schools and farms have the reliable, affordable power they depend on while supporting future economic growth. The NDP's position appears to be that Saskatchewan should reject major investment and stop planning for future electricity demand,” said the government.
“Their plan would shut down nearly one-third of Saskatchewan's reliable baseload generation without a credible replacement, making it harder to attract investment, create jobs and grow our economy. Under the NDP, projects like this wouldn't happen.”
The statement added that the government’s position has never changed and has been consistent that maintaining reliable baseload generation is essential to meet the province’s energy needs and support industrial development and major investments.
“While the NDP continues to play politics with Saskatchewan's energy future, our strong and steady government will continue making responsible decisions that protect Saskatchewan's energy security, keep electricity reliable and affordable, attract investment, and create good-paying jobs for Saskatchewan people,” the statement ended.
