Alberta’s rise as a data centre powerhouse has taken another leap forward with a major new project from Beacon AI Centers, supported by Nadia Partners, and designed by Stantec, headquartered in Edmonton.
Stantec has been selected as the lead consultant for a multi-site artificial intelligence data centre initiative spanning six locations across five municipalities in Alberta. The firm will provide a full range of services, including architecture, engineering (civil, building, environmental), geomatics, sustainability, transportation planning, and project management.
“With our 70-year history in the province, we are proud to play a critical role in helping position Alberta as a leading global hub for data-driven AI innovation,” said Leonard Castro, Stantec’s executive vice president for Buildings. “Our team will combine global expertise with regional knowledge to help Beacon realize their initial program and meet the growing capacity demand.”
Each campus will span hundreds of acres and include multiple data centre buildings. Design and permitting began in 2024, with construction set to start in 2025. The program is expected to create thousands of construction jobs and approximately 1,200 permanent positions across the province.
Beacon AI Centers announced today that Josh Schertzer, former CTO of Enterprise Technology at Blackstone, has joined the company as Chief Executive Officer. Schertzer will lead the company’s efforts to rapidly scale and deliver cutting-edge, high-capacity AI data center developments.
“Beacon AI is redefining the data centre development industry to meet the growing demands of the AI era,” said Schertzer. “By working with exceptional partners like Stantec, we can deliver ambitious projects quickly, at the scope and scale hyperscalers require.”
Stantec brings global experience to the initiative, having delivered hyperscale, multi-tenant, and retrofit data centre projects around the world. Ranked among the top 10 global data centre architecture and engineering firms by Building Design + Construction, the company is recognized for its advanced design capabilities and climate-responsive cooling solutions that improve efficiency and lower operational costs.
“Alberta is quickly becoming one of the most attractive jurisdictions in North America for data centre development, and Beacon’s launch is a strong vote of confidence in our province,” said Nate Glubish, Alberta’s Minister of Technology and Innovation.
“With our abundant energy resources, growing tech talent, and commitment to cutting red tape, we’re creating the right conditions for innovators like Beacon to thrive. I look forward to seeing how their projects will help build the future of AI infrastructure from right here in Alberta.”
This collaboration builds on Alberta’s strategic advantages, including a deregulated electricity market, abundant natural gas, a cooler climate, and low corporate tax rates. Combined with affordable land and growing digital demand, these factors are positioning the province as a leading destination for next-generation infrastructure.
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