Market
A connection request without a shovel is speculation
The grid's current problem is connection requests from developments that cannot commit to breaking ground within six months.
Insights
Why it matters
Dated research on Alberta data-centre projects, power, and operations. Each note keeps its published date and category.
Operations
Operational readiness is not the same as commissioning
A data centre can be mechanically complete, electrically energized and successfully commissioned, and still not be ready to operate.
Market
Alberta pipeline 2026, ranked by credibility
Six Highly Credible names. Twenty-four still proposed. Rank is evidence, not a build guarantee.
Market
How much of the power queue is likely to be built?
AESO Phase I is 1,200 MW allocated. The request queue is an order of magnitude larger. A request is not an allocation.
Project
Projects most likely to proceed
Construction and a signed Phase I contract beat an announcement. The rest of the pipeline is still proving power, customers and FID.
Market
Why power will decide the winners
Power is 25% of the score because the queue cannot all connect. Allocation and dedicated generation are different from a request.
Vendor
Who benefits from the buildout?
Public evidence shows who is already building, who holds Phase I load, and who is on the named power and construction side. Detailed vendor scores are not published here.
Operations
The operational readiness challenge
A technically complete site is not necessarily operationally ready. The Highly Credible calendar is already approaching commissioning, not just groundbreaking.
Operations
What boards should watch in Alberta's data-centre talent market
Construction peaks, scarce tickets, and competing mega-projects. Published average wages are a baseline, not a bid.