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Google and Environmental Group to Question Hydro-Quebec Consultants on Data Centres
The utility says the new rate would average 13 cents per kilowatt-hour, about twice what large-power data centres pay now.
- Lawyers representing Google and an environmental coalition concluded questioning Hydro Quebec consultants on Thursday as the first part of a public hearing on proposed data-centre electricity rate hikes wrapped.
- Hydro Quebec proposes raising energy prices to an average of 13 cents per kilowatt-hour for data centres requiring more than five megawatts of power, aiming to protect residential customers from surging costs driven by artificial intelligence demand.
- Google lawyer Adina Georgescu challenged whether consultant Dunsky provided meaningful comparisons between markets, citing Virginia's more than 600 operating facilities versus roughly 20 in Quebec requiring significant power capacity.
- Consultant Alexis Renaud-Bezot acknowledged his firm had not "systematically" examined how rates were calculated in other jurisdictions, though Hydro Quebec claims the 13-cent rate remains "competitive" with Ontario and Nova Scotia.
- Industry experts project data-centre electricity demand across North America could increase 133 per cent by 2030, positioning Hydro Quebec's approach as a model most utilities are expected to adopt to protect existing customers.
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Higher electricity rates may not deter data centres, consultant says
MONTREAL — Higher electricity prices may not discourage companies from building new data centres as demand for power continues to grow, a consultant hired by Hydro-Québec told the province's energy regulator on Friday.
·Canmore, Canada
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources7
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 33%
R 17%
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