Key facts
- U.S. tech companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon are increasing their presence at the Calgary Stampede.
- Alberta is actively seeking C$100 billion in data center investment.
- The province is promoting its cheap natural gas and cold climate as advantages for data centers.
- Alberta plans to announce a significant investment in its technology and AI sector.
- Pembina Pipeline is developing a 932-megawatt natural gas power project for a data center.
Big Tech companies, including Alphabet's Google, Meta, and Amazon, are increasing their presence at the Calgary Stampede, signaling growing interest in Alberta, Canada, for data center development. This marks a notable shift from the event's traditional focus on the oil and gas industry.
Google has been particularly visible, sponsoring the Stampede for the second consecutive year and hosting a private party for 300 guests, attended by federal and provincial politicians. Other tech firms have also been present at events and meetings.
The province of Alberta is actively courting data center investment, aiming to attract C$100 billion by leveraging its abundant and affordable natural gas supply, coupled with its cold climate. These factors are attractive to U.S. hyperscalers facing power constraints and community opposition domestically.
The Alberta government plans to announce a significant investment in its technology and artificial intelligence sector soon. Officials have indicated ongoing discussions with multiple tech companies seeking rapid grid connections, and the province is exploring options for companies to build their own power sources to bypass capacity limits.
While Alberta currently lacks hyperscale data centers (requiring 50 megawatts or more), nearly 100 have been proposed. Pembina Pipeline recently announced a C$4.6 billion, 932-megawatt natural gas-fired power project, Greenlight Electricity Centre, in central Alberta, which will power a large data center for an undisclosed client.