Alberta’s data centre strategy centers on certainty, not subsidies
Alberta’s Leadership in AI Infrastructure
Alberta is positioning itself as a premier destination for artificial intelligence—an ambition that has driven a host of strategic initiatives over the last year.
The Foundations of a Bold AI Strategy
- In 2024, the province released a comprehensive AI strategy that outlined clear goals and actionable steps.
- Alberta traveled to international capital markets to showcase its AI vision and attract foreign investment.
- Energy, a core asset of the province, was highlighted as a pivotal resource that can power AI infrastructure.
Upcoming Insight from Inventures 2025
Digital Journal invited Minister of Technology and Innovation Nate Glubish to discuss the practical execution of Alberta’s AI ambitions. The conversation focused on:
- Early‑stage data center projects that are receiving provincial support.
- What Alberta will and will not offer to lure investment.
- How electricity constraints are being tackled in a capital‑intensive race for modern infrastructure.
Alberta’s Unique Value Proposition
Unlike other regions that lean on tax incentives or land giveaways, Alberta is offering what investors truly value today—a guaranteed path to build.
“This is an electricity game first and foremost,” Minister Glubish explained. “The capital will go where the electricity can get developed.”
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Scroll down to watch the full video interview and gain deeper insight into how Alberta is turning ambition into actionable impact.
New Technology Vision – A Tech Minister’s Insight
Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation, Nate Glubish, recently shared his forward‑thinking approach during a dialogue with Digital Journal at Inventures.
Key Highlights from the Conversation
- Glubish underscored the importance of public‑private partnerships in accelerating tech adoption.
- The minister emphasized digital literacy initiatives aimed at bridging the skills gap across the province.
- His vision includes innovation hubs that attract startups and nurture entrepreneurship.
Photo Credit
Photo by Jennifer Friesen, Digital Journal.
Concierge support and firm rules on electricity
Alberta Strengthens Project Permitting with Dedicated Concierge Team
The province has now launched a fully operational concierge permitting team that assists developers across the entire pipeline, from Indigenous consultation to environmental compliance. Introduced as part of Alberta’s AI data centre strategy, this initiative is not a shortcut but a support mechanism designed to accelerate projects while upholding regulatory standards.
Key Features of the Concierge Team
- Direct Developer Interaction: The team works hand‑in‑hand with project teams to clarify permitting requirements.
- Indigenous Consultation Guidance: It provides clear pathways to meet consultation obligations.
- Environmental Requirement Clarification: Developers receive practical advice on environmental compliance.
Glubish, the provincial energy official, emphasizes that the goal is to maintain the grid’s reliability and affordability while preventing applications from languishing on desks for weeks.
Highlight Project: Wonder Valley Development
One developer already receiving support is Wonder Valley, located near Grande Prairie. Glubish confirms that the project has been in development for under a year and is advancing in modular phases. Wonder Valley includes on‑site power generation, aligning with Alberta’s policy that developers can opt for off‑grid operation if they choose not to finance transmission infrastructure.
Alberta’s Infrastructure Payment Policy
Alberta’s regulations are explicit: projects connecting to the grid must cover all required infrastructure upgrades. The province will not ask ratepayers to shoulder those costs.
Glubish states, “There’s no way they can load the cost of their project onto Alberta electricity ratepayers. When I explain that to them, they get that.”
Strategic Investor Attraction
This position is part of a broader Alberta strategy aimed at attracting serious investors and developers who are ready to fund their own infrastructure. The government’s focus remains on protecting the provincial electricity system’s long‑term affordability and reliability.
For additional context, Digital Journal previously reported on how Alberta manages energy demands from data centres without compromising its core grid.
Scroll down to watch the video interview
Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation Shares Insights on Digitized Growth
On a quiet Tuesday at Inventures, Nate Glubish, Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation, met with Digital Journal for an in‑depth conversation that highlighted the province’s strategy for digital advancement.
Setting the Stage
The discussion took place in a collaborative setting at Inventures, a platform known for hosting forward‑thinking tech dialogues. Photographic documentation of the meeting was captured by Jennifer Friesen, a seasoned Visual Artist at Digital Journal, and now serves as a visual record of the conversation.
Key Focus Areas Discussed
- Digital Infrastructure – Glubish outlined plans to enhance broadband connectivity across rural communities, ensuring equitable access to high‑speed internet.
- Tech Education and Workforce Development – The minister emphasized partnerships with educational institutions to build a skilled tech workforce capable of driving Alberta’s future growth.
- Innovation Ecosystem – Glubish described initiatives to foster start‑ups, attract investment, and incubate cutting‑edge technologies within the province.
- Policy and Regulation – The conversation touched on creating a supportive regulatory framework that balances innovation with public interests.
Lessons for Alberta’s Tech Landscape
While the conversation was concise, it offered clear direction:
- Connectivity is a Cornerstone – A robust digital infrastructure underpins the province’s innovation capacity.
- Education Powers Innovation – Building a pipeline of tech talent is pivotal for sustained growth.
- Integrated Policy Efforts Matter – A cohesive policy framework is essential for creating a vibrant tech ecosystem.
Post‑Meeting Reflections
Glubish’s remarks present a coherent blueprint for Alberta’s future in technology – a blueprint that merges infrastructure, education, and policy into a cohesive strategy for the province’s digital evolution.
Photo credit: Jennifer Friesen, Digital Journal
Turning strategy into action
Alberta Seeks to Power the Global AI Revolution
Alberta’s new AI strategy hinges on clarity, not subsidies. Governor Glubish highlights that the AI sector will require a 300 gigawatt expansion worldwide in the next five years. The province’s current grid supplies about 12 gigawatts of capacity.
Investment Freedom with Transparent Rules
- Alberta welcomes any investor, from pension funds such as the Canada Pension Plan to regional plans like Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
- The province offers a consistent approval process that accelerates permit issuance.
- Project financing will come from a mix of private capital, public funds, and corporate investment.
Natural Gas Meets Data Centers
Glubish proposes converting Alberta’s natural gas supply into digital compute. By channeling gas to power data centers alongside pipelines, the province creates domestic demand while attracting high‑value digital infrastructure.
Exporting Compute, Not Molecules
Industry voices echo Glubish’s vision. At the YYC DataCon panel, a participant said simply: “We should be exporting compute, not molecules.”
Execution Takes Center Stage
The province has established a dedicated concierge team to manage grid access and developer funding. Rules are unambiguous, and Alberta is now measured for execution, not just ambition.
Watch the full interview below:
Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation Meets Digital Journal
In a Recent Conversation
Nate Glubish, the Minister of Technology and Innovation for Alberta, engaged in a constructive dialogue with Digital Journal during a recent event at Inventures.
Key Highlights
- Focus on advancing technology initiatives in Alberta.
- Exploring new collaboration opportunities with media partners.
- Commitment to supporting local innovation ecosystems.
Photo credit: Jennifer Friesen, Digital Journal
Final shots
Alberta’s Concierge Permitting Team Accelerates Project Delivery
In a decisive move, Alberta’s newly formed concierge permitting team has shifted its focus from administrative paperwork to empowering developers with direct support.
Developer Responsibilities and Cost Structure
- Infrastructure Ownership: Developers retain full responsibility for all capital and operating expenditures.
- Ratepayer Independence: Public ratepayers will not subsidize the operation of AI data centres.
Strategic Clarity and Speed
Alberta’s permitting strategy is built around two pillars:
- Compliance Timelines: Developers who meet established criteria can expect realistic project schedules.
- Transparent Decision-Making: The permitting team will provide immediate and unambiguous responses.
