Massive data centre proposed for rural Alberta by Tourmaline subsidiary without operator yet

A subsidiary of major Canadian natural gas producer Tourmaline Oil Corp. is proposing to build a massive data centre in west-central Alberta, even though the developer has yet to secure a tech company to operate it.

Emerald Energy Technologies is planning Malachite One, a power-generation facility and data centre on Crown land adjacent to Tourmaline's active Banshee Gas Plant about 40 kilometres southwest of Edson in Yellowhead County.

If approved, the plant would convert 150 million cubic feet of natural gas daily into one gigawatt of electricity to power the data centre, which would serve as a warehouse for computer equipment that processes data at high speeds. Artificial intelligence tech companies like Meta and Amazon are typical users of such facilities.

Tourmaline manager of public affairs Tim Shaw said the company is working to put together a project that will attract a data hall operator. "What we're trying to do is put all the pieces together for a project that makes sense for the area that will bring in one of those data hall participants that need access to this type of infrastructure."

Emerald Energy Technologies is proposing to build the facility as early as 2027. The power-generation facility could cost up to $5 billion, with data centre infrastructure costing up to $15 billion. Shaw said Tourmaline would have investment partners to build and finance Malachite One.

Construction is expected to employ several hundred short-term workers. Yellowhead County deputy mayor Brigitte Lemieux called last month's presentation to council "the beginning of what will be a long public process."

"With all major developments in Yellowhead County, our priority is always to ensure that any project respects residents, protects land and environment and aligns with our long-term interests," Lemieux said. "It is too early to determine whether Malachite One checks those boxes."