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Canadian province moves to limit AI power use, ban crypto mining
British Columbia will allocate 300 megawatts to AI and 100 megawatts to data centers starting 2026 while permanently banning new cryptocurrency mining to protect the power grid.
- On Monday, the government of British Columbia proposed legislation to limit electricity for artificial intelligence data centres and permanently ban new cryptocurrency mining operations from its grid.
- Energy Minister Adrian Dix and BC Hydro, the government-owned electrical utility, said British Columbia prioritises grid connections for mines and natural gas facilities because they provide more local jobs and public revenue.
- BC Hydro will allocate 300MW for AI and 100MW for data centres, while other jurisdictions like Virginia and Maryland face rising power bills and Meta Platforms' next US data centre may use one gigawatt.
- Officials say the measures will prevent grid strain and amend interconnection charges and rules to allow multiple customers' financial security and indigenous groups' part-ownership, the province said.
- By contrast, neighbouring Alberta is courting C$100 billion in data centre investment, while British Columbia maintained a moratorium on crypto-mining connections and exempted a planned north transmission line.
Insights by Ground AI
17 Articles
17 Articles
British Columbia Caps Power for AI Data Centers, Bans Crypto Mining
British Columbia is imposing strict limits on electricity access for artificial intelligence companies and data centers, marking a sharp departure from the province’s previous open-access policy. Energy Minister Adrian Dix tabled legislation Monday that would cap power availability for AI operations at 300 megawatts every two years, with an additional 100 megawatts reserved for data […]
Coverage Details
Total News Sources17
Leaning Left1Leaning Right2Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Right
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right
L 25%
C 25%
R 50%
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