Heartland Data Center Hub
Sturgeon County, Alberta
800 MW
Power
320 Acres
Total Campus Area
Fall 2027
Initial Operations
Heartland Data Center Hub is planned within Alberta’s Industrial Heartland, one of North America’s most significant energy and industrial development corridors. The campus is designed to support large-scale Workloads and high-performance computing through co-located data halls, dedicated on-site power generation and resilient supporting infrastructure.
About the site
The project is intended to strengthen Alberta’s role in advanced manufacturing, AI infrastructure and energy-integrated digital development while creating significant construction employment, long-term operating jobs and supply-chain opportunities for Alberta businesses. From the outset, the project has been designed to operate responsibly within an established industrial region, with coordinated environmental oversight, modern infrastructure design and integrated water and noise management systems.
Responsible Development
Power
The Heartland project is designed around Beacon’s bring-your-own-power model. Under normal operating conditions, the facility is expected to supply approximately 800 MWe of power to co- located data halls while reducing reliance on Alberta’s public electricity grid.
The project is expected to utilize 200 INNIO Jenbacher J624 natural gas reciprocating engines grouped into 40 modular QPAC units designed for resilient, dispatchable and highly reliable operation.
Water
Estimated daily water use across data center operations and power generation is expected to be up to 1,500 cubic metres per day. Planned water use is from municipal and industrial resources, not agricultural irrigation sources.
For context, this level of demand is comparable to many existing industrial and commercial operations already active within Alberta’s Industrial Heartland region, including food processing, manufacturing and recreational uses.
Beacon’s approach is to engage early with local water authorities, carefully model available supply and evaluate advanced water management technologies including closed-loop cooling systems and
potential grey-water reuse opportunities to ensure responsible resource stewardship.
Land
This project is designed to consolidate data infrastructure, power generation, and supporting systems into a single, coordinated campus design. Our planning ensures that all operations will
maintain appropriate setbacks, rigorous drainage controls, and full environmental protections, minimizing impact on surrounding areas.
Noise
The Heartland campus is being designed with acoustic mitigation integrated into the project from the outset, including equipment placement, engineered sound attenuation systems and substantial setbacks between major infrastructure and surrounding properties.
Modern data centers and reciprocating-engine generation systems are significantly quieter than many traditional heavy industrial operations commonly associated with industrial zones.
While final sound modelling and equipment selection remain ongoing, the project is intended to operate within all applicable provincial and municipal noise requirements. Noise mitigation and monitoring requirements will also form part of the project’s regulatory approval process.
Designed around energy,
land and community context.
The campus brings data halls, dedicated power generation, natural gas supply infrastructure, water management and fiber connectivity together in a coordinated site plan designed for resilient operation and responsible development.
Campus Perspective
Economic Impact
The project is designed as a long-term economic asset for the region. Expected benefits include:
- 1,500+ construction jobs at each site across a range of trades and occupations
- Up to 300 permanent operating jobs once the campus is operational
- Municipal, provincial and federal tax generation from construction, operations and employment
- Supply-chain opportunities for local construction, mechanical, electrical, landscaping and professional services firms
- Partnership opportunities with educational institutions, including training programs and
internships - Dedicated community investment programs for local priorities and important community
initiatives - Fiber and telecommunications upgrades that can strengthen regional connectivity
landowners, Indigenous communities and nearby businesses to listen to local perspectives and build projects that fit the communities where people live and work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a data center?
A data center is critical digital infrastructure that enables technologies such as AI and cloud computing. It houses advanced computing equipment, secure buildings, cooling systems and fiber- optic connections that allow large volumes of information to be processed, analyzed and used to support new tools and discoveries.
Will the project raise power prices or cause brownouts?
Beacon’s Alberta sites are designed with their own on-site power generation. Pending further work with the Alberta Electric System Operator, the sites may also connect to the grid to contribute power back or provide emergency resilience. The bring-your-own-power approach is intended to avoid additional pressure on Alberta’s electricity system and protect affordability and reliability for residents and businesses.
Why is natural gas part of the project?
Alberta has abundant, reliable, and affordable natural gas. By utilizing local natural gas for power generation, we create value within the provincial economy, support data sovereignty, and generate royalties that help fund public priorities—while also providing pathways to advanced carbon capture technologies.
How is Beacon engaging Indigenous communities and the public?
Beacon is committed to ongoing Indigenous consultation on terms defined by local Indigenous communities. Public engagement is also central to the project, with meetings, project updates and opportunities for residents and stakeholders to ask questions, raise concerns and share ideas.
What is Sturgeon County’s role in the project?
Sturgeon County has issued a Master Development Permit for development of an 800 MW data center with a corresponding 920 MWe gas-powered generation facility on lands zoned Heavy Industrial District.