A clean and green proposal?
By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A new clean energy manufacturing campus proposed for Chatham-Kent does not include the construction of an AI data centre.
That’s the word from Canadian Energies Ltd. – the company behind what may become the largest investment in the municipality’s history.
In a clarifying statement sent to media late last week, the firm stressed the $1.9-billion project – the first in North America to utilize sodium-ion battery technology – does not involve an AI data centre.
“We understand that there has been considerable misunderstanding and speculation that the project proposed by Canadian Energies includes the creation of a data centre,” the statement reads. “We would like to be absolutely clear that a data centre is not part of the plan for our significant investment in Chatham-Kent.
“While some of the products that we expect to manufacture in the Chatham-Kent facility may be used to support and power data centres elsewhere, our Chatham-Kent facility will not be a data centre,” company officials added. “It is expected to be a major BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) manufacturing facility and will also house the production of other clean energy components such as solar modules.”
The Canadian Energies plan for C-K was part of the Canadian Investment Summit Prospectus handed out to investors last week at a two-day summit in Toronto. Led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, the event brought the world’s top investors to Canada in a bid to secure funding for a host of nation-building infrastructure and energy projects.
News of the project became public Sept. 14, on the first day of the summit, and it was discussed by Chatham-Kent council at its meeting that night.
When questions arose from councillors as to why they weren’t informed about it ahead of the announcement, Mayor Darrin Canniff said he could not speak about the project as he was bound by a non-disclosure agreement.
Of the 18 clean energy projects named in the prospectus, Chatham-Kent’s is the only one in Ontario.
However, the matter caught fire on social media, with many alleging AI data centres are part of the plan. In turn, Canadian Energies released the clarification three days later.
In speaking to the proposal, Canniff said it a good-news story for Chatham-Kent.
“It’s a new technology and it’s something that’s very exciting,” Canniff said, adding he expects the demand for the product to be huge. “They’ve chosen Chatham-Kent and it’s great for us to be in a position to grow. When the Prime Minister and the energy minister are talking about Chatham-Kent, that’s big. It opens the door for Chatham-Kent to become a clean energy hub.”
Canniff stressed the clean energy campus would boost the entire region, employing people from across Southwestern Ontario.
An early estimate states the 300-acre development could see 2,500-plus skilled jobs locally, in addition to hundreds of construction jobs.
Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce president Rory Ring also expressed support.
“It’s a very positive thing to see and a very significant investment in Chatham-Kent,” Ring said, but noted the proposal is in very early stages.
“We can’t assume this is a done deal,” he added, noting C-K must continue to invest in its own infrastructure to be ready for future investment developments.
Canadian Energies acknowledges the public has a “strong interest” in the project and that residents have questions about the proposal. Its leadership has committed to providing accurate information about the significant venture. They will be holding a media event in coming weeks to share information.
“We look forward to discussing the opportunities that this development could create and the many potential economic benefits for the community of Chatham-Kent,” the statement said.
