Still reeling from the loss of its paper mill in December, 2014, Iroquois Falls got a re-charge on Thursday, with confirmation of a new high-tech operation providing up to 60 jobs.
Validus Power – which owns the cogeneration plant in the Falls – is building two 55,000 sq. ft. data centres on its property, powered by the co-gen plant.
“They will be a mix of high computer HPC and crypto or bitcoin mining,” says Validus CEO Todd Shortt. A similar, smaller operation goes online in North Bay on Friday.
“We should be fully operational at this (Iroquois Falls) site within six months,” Shortt told a news conference. “So within six months, the building will be built and we will be transmitting all of our power from this power plant to that data centre.”
Iroquois Falls mayor Tory Delaurier calls it a great opportunity for Iroquois Falls and Northern Ontario.
Construction equipment arrived Thursday, right before the official announcement.
CEO Todd Shortt says his company will also be working with the municipality on energy saving projects.
“You know, in the pool, your curling club, your ice rink, there are some very unique energy plans that we can do to reduce your energy consumption, increase efficiency.”
Also coming is a reforestation project that will give Validus carbon credits.
Validus CEO Todd Shortt and Iroquois Falls Mayor Tory Delaurier. (Bob McIntyre, MyKapuskasingNow.com staff)
