British Columbia proposes new power rules for AI, data centers

The Government of British Columbia is launching what it calls “a bold set of actions” designed to drive investment in major projects that will “grow the economy, diversify markets and create new jobs, enabling province- and nation-building industrial projects that will unlock the full economic potential of northern B.C.” while proposing changes to its energy rules. “These actions will also address unprecedented demand for electricity and ensure that B.C. and Canadian economic interests are reflected in the allocation of British Columbia’s growing clean-electricity supply,” the province stated. “Other jurisdictions have been challenged to address electricity demands from emerging sectors and, in many cases, have placed significant rate increases on the backs of ratepayers. B.C. is taking a unique and proactive approach to avoid the missteps seen in other jurisdictions and to establish a publicly owned electricity system as the backbone of a growing economy,” it added. Publicly traded Canadian Bitcoin mining companies include Hut 8 Corp. (HUT), Bitfarms (BITF), and Hive Digital Technologies (HIVE).