Net Zero Now Ltd. has cleared a key milestone in its pursuit of developing its first energy and data center campus in Alberta, following the completion of critical environmental studies. This milestone breaks down a significant regulatory hurdle and paves the way for the 320-acre site to advance into the building stage, offering a paradigm solution to Canada’s most prominent data center infrastructure problem: access to power.
Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) has even restricted big-load connections to 1,200MW because data center builders are requesting over 16,000MW of grid capacity—reporting a humongous supply-demand gap. Net Zero Now’s energy campus takes on the challenge squarely by integrating on-site data center building with 400MW of base load electricity production, supplemented with power quality services and backup supply.
Our model is proximity-based, said Scott Martin, Head of Energy at Net Zero Now. “By collocating power generation with data center facilities, we offer hyperscalers direct physical connectivity or virtual power contracts through the grid, bypassing long interconnection queues and making faster deployment schedules possible.”.
Energy-Efficient Data Center Design
The project will be a low-carbon infrastructure standard. Alongside net-zero electricity, the campus will include data center buildings that are designed with high-performance insulation, low-carbon materials, and energy-efficient construction practices to reduce both embodied carbon and operational carbon.
Logan Downing, Head of Carbon Strategy, highlighted Alberta’s growing appeal to the data center sector. “Although not yet considered a global data center hub, Alberta offers compelling advantages—low-cost electricity, a favorable tax regime, and currency exchange benefits,” Downing said. “We’re removing traditional market-entry barriers like electricity access, permitting delays, and local partnerships.”
The energy campus will boost Alberta’s economy by creating jobs, generating property taxes, and increasing electricity supply to stabilize prices. With provincial support and fast-tracked approvals, Net Zero Now is exploring more Alberta locations for similar energy campuses.
Record demand for data centers from hyperscale computing and AI makes Net Zero Now’s milestone crucial for Alberta’s competitiveness in the global digital infrastructure market.
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Net Zero Now Energy and Data Center Campus in Alberta: Project Factsheet
Project Overview
Company: Net Zero Now Ltd.
Location: Alberta, Canada
Site Size: 320 acres
Status: Environmental studies completed, ready for construction
Key Features:
400MW base load electricity generation with power quality services and backup supply
On-site data center development with direct physical connections or virtual power agreements
Net-zero electricity generation for low-carbon operations
High-performance building design using sustainable materials and energy-efficient construction
Economic Impact
Job creation in Alberta’s emerging data center sector
Property tax revenue generation
Additional electricity supply to help reduce regional energy prices
Positions Alberta as a competitive player in global digital infrastructure
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