Alberta is the primary focus for near-term AI and high-performance computing data centers using a bring-your-own-generation model with dedicated natural-gas power.

Alberta is the main focus for near-term natural-gas power dedicated to AI and high-performance computing data centers under a bring-your-own-generation model. Most large projects remain proposed or in permitting; only a few have achieved final investment decisions, construction contracts, or offtake agreements. Alberta's marketable gas supply stood at approximately 11.5 Bcf/d in 2025 and is expected to remain in surplus through 2027. Even if all AI-linked gas plants currently planned were built, they would consume well under 1 Bcf/d, leaving substantial headroom. Canada has roughly 6 gigawatts of fairly firm AI data center projects in development.

A realistic ceiling for this decade is single-digit GW of new gas-fired AI load in Alberta, led by Greenlight's 0.9 GW expected in 2030 and whatever clears Alberta Utilities Commission and turbine queues. A 40 GW industrial program is achievable by 2035 if hyperscalers sign long-term gas and power contracts and turbine makers expand capacity. The basin can sustain such growth. Nothing currently in the 2027–2030 queue is on that trajectory.

Natural gas demand scales with AI deployment levels: 40 GW baseload requires approximately 6–7 Bcf/d, while 80 GW requires 12–13 Bcf/d. Western Canada already produced a record 19.1 Bcf/d in 2025, with Alberta contributing 11.4–11.5 Bcf/d and British Columbia 7.4 Bcf/d. Alberta's in-province consumption stands at roughly 7.4 Bcf/d, meaning an additional 6–7 Bcf/d to support 40 GW is achievable within the region's production capacity.

Meta is building its first major Canadian data center in Alberta's Sturgeon County, an attractive location due to abundant available energy and a favorable regulatory environment. This will be Meta's 33rd data center globally and represents the company's latest push to rapidly build AI infrastructure capacity. Sturgeon County has long been zoned for industrial use and possesses the capacity for additional energy infrastructure. Meta coordinated with multiple Canadian energy firms—including Greenlight Limited Partnership, AltaLink, Capital Power, and the Alberta Electric System Operator—to plan for energy needs well in advance of the facility's deployment. The 1 gigawatt facility is expected to cost Meta approximately $9 billion and take two to three years to complete.

Saskatchewan is exploring a large gas-backed data center concept, though it remains non-binding. Ontario's first small modular reactor is under construction for grid supply around 2030 but is not contracted to a specific AI campus.

**Advanced and Funded Projects with Offtake Agreements**

Greenlight Electricity Centre, located in Sturgeon County's Industrial Heartland north of Edmonton, will supply Meta's facility with 932 MW of combined-cycle natural gas capacity, permitted to expand to 1,864 MW using Siemens Energy SGT6-8000H turbines and consuming approximately 150 MMcf/d of gas. The facility targets second-half 2030 in-service. Final investment decision was achieved in July 2026 with major regulatory approvals in hand and approximately 85% of capital costs locked under fixed-price agreements. Engineering, procurement, and construction were awarded to TRA, an Aecon-led consortium with Técnicas Reunidas, with Aecon's share valued at approximately C$1.7 billion. Total project cost is approximately C$4.6 billion including financing, with Pembina Pipeline contributing approximately C$2.3 billion and partners Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners and Kineticor Asset Management providing additional backing. Gas delivery will flow via Pembina's Alliance Heartland Expansion (targeted Q4 2029) and TC Energy's NGTL system. A long-term tolling and dedicated-capacity agreement secures Meta's initial 932 MW. Meta's adjacent data center campus, with reported costs between C$13 billion and approximately US$9–10 billion, began construction in July 2026 with initial capacity near 1 GW and scalability toward 1.8 GW. Interim supply is secured through a long-term (over 10-year) Capital Power contract for 250 MW from its existing Alberta fleet, effective second half 2028. Meta also holds an Alberta Electric System Operator Phase 1 load allocation of approximately 970 MW.

Bitdeer's Fox Creek project, in the Municipal District of Greenview near Fox Creek, pairs approximately 101 MW of on-site natural gas generation with approximately 100 MW of computing capacity and approximately 99 MW of grid interconnection for export and curtailment flexibility. The facility targets Q2 2027 energization following ground-breaking in June 2026, with site and permit acquisition completed from Kiwetinohk Energy in 2025. Bitdeer funded the project, cited at approximately US$155 million or C$214 million. Originally designed for Bitcoin mining, the facility was engineered for flexibility toward AI and high-performance computing applications, with planned carbon-capture utilization.

**Proposed and Permitting-Stage Gas Projects Aimed at 2027–2029**

Mihta Askiy Data Center power station, located in Northern Sunrise County approximately 40 km northeast of Peace River, Alberta, is planned to include approximately 650 MW of natural gas capacity starting with simple-cycle turbines and transitioning to combined-cycle operation. Global Energy Monitor documentation lists Phase 1 turbines (approximately 2 × 230 MW) targeted for 2027 and a steam turbine (approximately 250 MW) planned for 2029 in pre-construction. The Federal Impact Assessment Agency issued an early decision in March/April 2026 that no further federal assessment is required. The project is led by Cree Ative Datacenter Corp GP and Mihta Askiy Datacenter LP (linked to Woodland Cree and Sovereign Digital Infrastructure partnership). Alberta Major Projects lists a 2027 commencement schedule.

Northern Forge (Teton Digital), located in Greenview approximately 35 km south of Fox Creek, proposes 200 MW of behind-the-meter natural gas for on-site compute with grid sales capability. The developer targets Phase I (approximately 30 MW) in H1 2027, over 100 MW by end-2027, and full 200 MW by 2028. The project is proposed with completion targeted for 2028 at an estimated cost of C$500 million. The developer reports that Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, Water Act, and Indigenous consultation processes are largely complete, with Alberta Utilities Commission application under evaluation and gas supply and pipeline agreements under letter of intent.

Black Bear Power Project, also by Teton Digital and located near Swan Hills, Alberta, is proposed as a 466 MW natural-gas combined-cycle facility with adjacent land for data-center development and a pathway toward multi-GW campuses. Local reporting cites approximately C$1.3 billion and a Q3 2028 completion target.

Beacon AI hubs, developed by Beacon Data Centers and related generation partnerships, includes two proposed facilities. Indus, in Rocky View County, proposes approximately 1,494 MW natural-gas thermal generation to supply approximately 1,200 MW of co-located data halls. An Alberta Utilities Commission oral hearing was held in August 2026 (Proceeding 30524) with decision pending as of mid-September 2026; the Federal Impact Assessment Agency issued an early decision of no further review. The proponent has cited a possible Q3 2027 initial-operation target, subject to approvals. Heartland, located in Sturgeon County, proposes an 800–920 MW gas-engine plant for data halls. The Alberta Utilities Commission written record closed in July 2026 with decision expected by late October 2026; the proponent cited fall 2027 initial operations, subject to approvals.

Bell AI Fabric, in the Rural Municipality of Sherwood near Regina, Saskatchewan, is designed to draw provincial grid power with first stage targeted for first half 2027 to serve customers including CoreWeave and Cerebras. A non-binding September 2026 memorandum of understanding with the Saskatchewan government contemplates phased expansion of up to 900 MW more, supplied by partner-developed natural gas, reaching approximately 1.2 GW total capacity. Full build-out capital for data centers, tenant compute, and power is described as potentially exceeding C$50–52.5 billion. The expansion remains contingent on customer commitments, commercial agreements, and permits, with no named gas-plant partner, final investment decision, or construction contract disclosed for the 900 MW phase.

**Large Early-Stage Concept**

Wonder Valley, proposed by O'Leary Digital in the Greenview Industrial Gateway of the Municipal District of Greenview, is often cited at approximately 7.5 GW with associated gas generation discussed in the multi-gigawatt range (court filings reference a potential approximately 9 GW plant) and lifetime investment figures around C$70 billion. The project remains proposed; the Industrial Gateway received special industrial-zone designation in 2026, with provincial environmental impact assessment determined not required under the reviewed description. A water license and Indigenous consultation are in court, with a Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation judicial review ongoing as of late 2026. No public final investment decision, turbine contracts, or firm 2027–2030 energization date has been disclosed.

**Other Power Relevant to 2027–2030**

Darlington New Nuclear Project, operated by Ontario Power Generation in Clarington, Ontario, will initially deploy the first of four GE Hitachi BWRX-300 small modular reactors, each approximately 300 MW (1,200 MW total). Unit 1 is under construction with license to construct granted in April 2025 and basemat installation completed in 2026, targeting commercial operation approximately 2030 if the schedule holds.