Net Zero Now completes studies for data centre energy campus

Key Takeaways:

• Net Zero Now is building a 320-acre energy campus in Alberta to support data centres with 400MW of base load power, aiming to ease constraints in Canada’s fastest-growing data centre market.
• The project offers a workaround to Alberta’s grid limitations, allowing hyperscale operators to connect directly or virtually to on-site generation, bypassing AESO’s interim cap on large load connections.
• Alberta is being positioned as a rising data centre hub, with Net Zero citing low electricity costs, a favourable tax environment, and fully permitted, construction-ready sites as key advantages.

The Whole Story:

A Calgary-based infrastructure company says it has completed environmental studies for a new “energy campus” aimed at solving one of the biggest bottlenecks facing Canada’s growing data centre industry: access to reliable power.

Net Zero Now Ltd. plans to build the campus on a 320-acre site in Alberta, which it says was strategically chosen to align with the infrastructure needs of electricity generation and data centre operations. The development will include 400 megawatts of base load generation, power quality services, backup supply, and a co-located data centre campus.

“With the AESO’s large-load interconnection queue growing exponentially, we recognized the need for a fundamentally different approach to powering these large loads,” said Scott Martin, Head of Energy at Net Zero, in a statement. “We’re giving hyperscale operators the ability to directly connect through a co-located energy campus or contract virtually through the grid to bring their own generation online.”

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) has placed a temporary cap on large load connections at 1,200 megawatts, even as applications from data centre operators have ballooned to over 16,000 megawatts. Net Zero’s approach—providing pre-permitted, construction-ready sites with embedded power infrastructure—is designed to bypass those constraints.

“While Alberta is not currently ranked as a top-tier global data centre market, we expect that will change in the near future,” said Logan Downing, Head of Carbon Strategy at Net Zero. “We provide fully permitted, construction-ready campuses that enable speed-to-market, low-cost electricity, and best-in-class carbon intensity.”

The company said it will also deploy net zero building techniques, such as advanced insulation and sustainable materials, to reduce both embodied and operational carbon from the data centre structures.

Net Zero’s campus model is pitched as a win for both the tech industry and the province. The company says the project will create jobs, add tax revenue, and contribute more supply to Alberta’s electricity system at a time of rising demand.

The province has recently seen increased interest from global data centre operators due to its low electricity prices, favourable tax climate, and relatively stable political environment. Net Zero says it is evaluating additional sites across Alberta to support future demand.