Bringing AI to New Brunswick
VoltaGrid and Beacon Data Centers are partnering to deliver digital infrastructure and power generation at the scope and scale that rapid AI advancements require, providing a generational opportunity for New Brunswick.
The Spruce Lake AI Hub will be a significant asset to local areas, driving economic growth, enhancing technological infrastructure, and positively contributing to the community and environment.
Economic
Development
Establishing an AI hub of this scale allows a robust technological ecosystem to take root in New Brunswick—driving long-term economic growth through significant job creation and high-value investment opportunities. Beyond the facility itself, the project generates transformative supply chain prospects for local companies specializing in construction, mechanical, electrical, landscaping, and professional services.
Community
Benefits
The Spruce Lake AI Hub is committed to fostering an ecosystem for growth, with training and development opportunities for people and educational institutions across New Brunswick. By providing secure, high-performance computing power within a domestic setting, the facility empowers local AI developers and researchers to innovate without relying on foreign infrastructure—positioning the province at the forefront of global AI Research and Development.
Strategic Fibre Infrastructure
Situated near the high-capacity fibre corridor between Halifax and Boston, and direct access to transatlantic cabling ensures transmission required for modern AI infrastructure. Establishing this independent energy and digital ecosystem in Saint John is a cornerstone of the long-term vision. This commitment underscores the importance of leveraging New Brunswick’s unique technical assets to foster a robust, future-proof tech corridor in North America.
Project-ready Utilities
VoltaGrid’s innovative "Power-as-a-Service" model will strengthen the Saint John energy ecosystem by generating on-site power. The 190 MW we will generate acts as a critical pressure relief valve for the local grid so we don't compete with what residents need. Meanwhile, Beacon's data centre utilizes a sophisticated, fully closed-loop water cooling system. By recirculating a fixed internal supply, Beacon avoids the constant external draw and discharge typical of traditional facilities.
Construction Site
Spruce Lake
Committed to the Saint John environment
As we move forward with our assessment process, we are conducting rigorous, ongoing environmental studies to ensure our project respects the local ecosystem.
Our team is evaluating the atmospheric environment, focusing on noise mitigation alongside detailed surveys of water resources, wetlands, and aquatic environments to protect the area's watersheds. This comprehensive approach extends to the impact on old-growth forests and rare plant life, as well as wildlife habitats.
Proven technology for a sustainable future
In this partnership, Beacon Data Centers leads the construction of the data centre and computer systems, while VoltaGrid provides the specialized power infrastructure. VoltaGrid brings a commitment to total transparency to Saint John; rather than relying on general projections, we continuously monitor the actual emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxides through our proprietary technology.
Our Access Innovation Portal provides real-time analysis of how site conditions and power loads affect its impact. By adapting this proven model from our other operations, we are providing Saint John with a data centre that prioritizes measurable accountability and grid mitigation.
Our SCR technology enables up to 98% emissions abatement.
Like a stream, data centres produce sound similar to a rushing stream from 30 feet away, and getting quieter from there.
Our SCR technology enables up to 98% emissions abatement.
Like a stream, our power produces just 65 decibels from only 30 feet away, getting quieter from there.
VoltaGrid has done this before
With a total need of 200 megawatts, our data centre power solution in San Antonio, Texas, is being built in 50-megawatt increments. VoltaGrid provided an immediate, phased solution that was both efficient and community-friendly. The site was near a residential area, so the solution needed to be quiet, low on light pollution, and environmentally clean. VoltaGrid constructed an on-site microgrid running on natural gas, delivering each 50-megawatt block of power as the data centre expanded.
AI data centres require a lot of energy, so we are producing 190 MW of our own to significantly reduce our demand on the local grid.
In the city or the countryside, we power AI quietly
How dual-source power
infrastructure works
The Beacon data centre will require up to 400MW of power at its maximum capacity. As computing power goes up and down from users around the world, the energy is needs goes up too. Once it throttles over the 210 MW maximum draw, VoltaGrid provides the rest of the power needed to protect the local grid.
Grid power up to 210 MW supply as required
The AI data centre’s primary source of power is NB Power, with a limit of 210 MW to protect the grid. Having a dual source power supply ensures that the system protects the needs of the community while ensuring the data centre is always on.
Requires 400 MW of power at full capacity
As computing power goes up from users around the world, the energy is needs goes up too. Once it throttles over the 210 MW maximum draw, VoltaGrid provides the rest of the power needed to protect the local grid.
We provide up to 190 MW, on demand
VoltaGrid’s power plant is used to supply up to 190 MW additional energy the data center demands when above the grid limit of 210MW quietly, and with low emissions. And, when there is a power outage, it is ensures that the data centre is always on.
How a closed-loop cooling system works to save water
A closed-loop cooling system in a data centre is a thermal management setup where water stays within a sealed, continuous piping circuit. Unlike "open" systems, it does not evaporate water into the atmosphere or draw in fresh external water constantly. It picks up heat from the computers, carries it to a heat exchanger to be cooled down, and then loops back to start the process again without ever being exposed to the outside environment
Closed-loop systems have near-zero water consumption after the initial fill, which is a major advantage. Instead of only cooling open air, we use a vast water piping network close to the computer servers' components to pull heat away from high performance clusters.
These systems are less affected by outside humidity levels, making the cooling capacity more predictable year-round.
VoltaGrid specializes in modular generation and low-carbon power solutions, aiming to support the transition to sustainable energy systems. Our technology focuses on enhancing grid stability while reducing emissions. Highlights of VoltaGrid's offerings include:
-
Scalable and rapidly deployable energy generation models
-
Integration of best available technology to reduce emissions
-
High thermal efficiency equipment and 100% hydrogen and renewable natural gas
-
Support for local economies through investment, employment and energy independence.
Beacon Data Centers is a digital infrastructure developer specializing in AI-scale data centres. We aim to facilitate growth of innovative technologies by providing advanced computing solutions. Key aspects of our operations include:
-
Partnerships with local stakeholders for economic growth
-
Commitment to fostering local talent and workforce development
-
Sustainable and environmentally conscious approach
-
Anchoring a tech and innovative ecosystem