Pax Silica AI hub to consume 3 gigawatts at full development --BCDA

The Pax Silica project, an envisioned artificial intelligence (AI) hub in New Clark City, Tarlac, could consume up to 3 gigawatts (equivalent to 3 million kilowatts) of electricity daily at its full development stage, according to Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and CEO Joshua Bingcang. Bingcang addressed criticisms from some environmental groups, which have raised concerns about the excessive water and energy demands of AI hub facilities, during a Palace briefing on Thursday. "Initial assessment is to be conservative, around, at full development, mga three gigawatts po iyan," Bingcang stated, translating to "The initial assessment is to be conservative but at full development, it will be around three gigawatts." The daily consumption rate will not cut into the area's current power supplies, Bingcang clarified. The project's proponent is a U.S.-based company responsible for the feasibility study of the planned development. Several South Korean and Japanese firms have also expressed interest in participating. The facility is expected to primarily rely on renewable energy, with BCDA aiming to power it mainly through solar energy instead of fossil fuels. "We are blessed with 300 days of sunshine. So, this project inside of Clark, this means that there will be an embedded power plant," Bingcang said in a mix of English and Filipino. Regarding concrete commitments to cover the facility's energy requirements, Bingcang confirmed that 500 megawatts (500,000 kilowatts) of solar power are already available. Several groups have sounded the alarm on Pax Silica, citing the potential negative environmental effects of AI hubs. Earlier reports indicated that if the Pax Silica deal is finalized by 2027, construction is expected to commence in 2028. Information Source: GMA Money Philippines