Validus confirms plans to build data centre in Kapuskasing
A Toronto-based energy developer has designs on making big investments in Northern Ontario.
On November 5, Validus Power announced that it would build a 32,000-square-foot data centre in Kapuskasing that will be powered by a local energy plant.
That news follows the announcement that the company had broken ground on construction of a power plant and data centre in North Bay in conjunction with Bitcoin minders Hut 8.
The projects are valued at a combined $100 million.
Validus’ High Performance Compute hosting facility in Kapuskasing will be supported by the refurbished 45MW Kapuskasing combined cycle power plant, which Validus acquired earlier this year. The plant was formerly owned by Atlantic Power.
With support from the Town of Kapuskasing, Validus expects the site will be fully operational by early spring, and will bring approximately 25 jobs to the local economy including engineers, millwrights and data-centre technicians.
"This is really exciting for everyone involved and Kapuskasing is an ideal location for us. Reinvesting in Canada and specifically Ontario's north is a natural fit," said Validus President and CEO Todd Shortt. "A data centre designed for high performance compute with steady reliable power fits well in a cool climate if you want to promote maximum operational efficiency."
"Northern Ontario is the future of Ontario. With that being said, we are extremely excited to announce the first phase of this project with Validus," said Kapuskasing Mayor David Plourde. "Bringing new and diverse jobs to the area is great for the economy and community overall. Also, incorporating our continuing reforestation program with Validus' ESG initiatives is very synergistic."
Validus is investing in power plants to serve the rapidly growing Bitcoin and Blockchain mining community. In Kapuskasing and North Bay, for example, the company plans to expand the plants’ combined capacity from 90 megawatts to 150 MW.
Featured image: The Validus plant in North Bay. (Validus)