Alberta Data Centre WatchIndependent public-interest tracking
← Alberta data centre project list

Verified project profile

Armada Nowlit Wabasca / Hoole Data Centre

A September 14, 2026 Rule 007 filing identifies the current Hoole proposal as nine enclosed data-centre units supplied by nine 2.2 MW natural-gas engines. The municipality has issued Development Permit 26-DP-001, but AUC Proceeding 31058 remains an application, and the filing says a Crown-land disposition is still required before construction.

Armada Nowlit Energy Ltd.
How to read this profilePublic recordProponent statementProponent projectionADCW context

Project facts

Core scale, approval, employment, and schedule information, labelled by the type of evidence available.

Public record

AUC proceeding

31058

Application 31058-A001 was filed on September 14, 2026 for the Hoole Natural Gas Power Generation Facility.

Sources [5]
Public record

Municipal permit

26-DP-001 issued

The signed municipal engagement form confirms the M.D. of Opportunity issued the permit and reported no unresolved concerns. This does not replace the pending AUC power-plant review.

Sources [5], [12]
Public record

Generation

19.8 MW

Nine 2.2 MW natural-gas engines proposed across two phases.

Sources [5]
Proponent statement

Data infrastructure

Nine enclosed units

The noise assessment models one enclosed data centre, cooling fans, and transformers alongside each engine.

Sources [11]
Proponent statement

Project footprint

4.7 ha conservative study footprint

WSP says 92.6% is previously disturbed and the actual proposed disturbance would be smaller than the study footprint.

Sources [9]
Proponent statement

Ownership

100% Armada Nowlit Energy Ltd.

The applicant identifies itself as the sole owner and operator of the proposed power facility.

Sources [5]
Proponent statement

Closure-cost estimate

Approximately CA$2.05 million

The filed planning estimate combines CA$1.71 million for decommissioning and CA$341,735 for reclamation. Final financial-assurance terms are not settled.

Sources [10]

Energy and emissions

The current 19.8 MW generation application, the earlier 50 MW data-centre announcement, and two closed 9.5 MW power applications are separate evidence. ADCW does not add them together.

Important distinction: The 19.8 MW figure is proposed on-site generation, not verified data-centre demand. The filing says all electricity would be used behind the fence, with no grid connection or export.
Proponent statement

Phase 1

8.8 MW

Four 2.2 MW MWM TCG 3020 engines proposed for the first phase.

Sources [5]
Proponent statement

Phase 2

Additional 11 MW

Five more 2.2 MW engines would bring the proposed facility to 19.8 MW total.

Sources [5]
Proponent statement

Grid relationship

Off-grid and behind the fence

The application says all electricity would be consumed on site, with no Alberta Interconnected Electric System connection or export.

Sources [5]
Proponent statement

Fuel

Natural gas

The filing proposes selective catalytic reduction on all nine engines for nitrogen-oxide control.

Sources [5], [7]
Proponent projection

Nitrogen dioxide

95.4 µg/m³ hourly; 12.1 µg/m³ annual

The model includes background concentrations and compares these maxima with objectives of 300 µg/m³ hourly and 45 µg/m³ annually. These are modelled applicant results, not operating measurements or an AUC finding.

Sources [7]
Public record

Earlier 9.5 MW applications

Closed without approval

Proceedings 30253 and 30707 remain historical. The current 19.8 MW application is not added to those earlier capacities.

Sources [3], [4], [5]
Historical proposal

Water

The proposed cooling loop would not withdraw or discharge process water, and the environmental evaluation says no wastewater would be released. The application is internally inconsistent on Water Act status: TP2 anticipates additional approvals such as Water Act authorizations, while TP33 says none is required based on the current design. [5], [9]

Proponent statement

Cooling

Closed-loop system proposed

The filing says cooling would not require process-water withdrawal or discharge.

Sources [5], [9]
ADCW context

Total site water

Not established

The no-process-water statement is limited to cooling. Domestic, fire-protection, initial-fill, make-up, stormwater, and other site water needs are not quantified in the reviewed summary.

Sources [5], [9]
Proponent statement

Wastewater and stormwater

No wastewater discharge proposed

WSP says runoff would continue through the existing on-site stormwater system and no changes to runoff management are proposed.

Sources [9]
ADCW context

Water Act status

Application statements conflict

TP2 says additional approvals such as Water Act authorizations would be obtained before development, while TP33 says no Water Act approval is required based on the current design and wetland avoidance. ADCW leaves the status unresolved.

Sources [5], [9]

Noise

The full-build model predicts 35.3 to 35.6 dBA cumulative nighttime sound at theoretical 1,500 m receptors, below the 40 dBA permissible level. The report contains an internal inconsistency about possible low-frequency tonality, which ADCW preserves rather than resolving on the applicant's behalf.

Proponent statement

Modelled sources

Nine data centres and nine engines

The assessment includes enclosed data-centre equipment, cooling fans, transformers, and the proposed gas engines.

Sources [11]
Proponent projection

Phase 1 nighttime model

35.1 to 35.3 dBA cumulative

The model predicts project-only sound of 20.3 to 22.9 dBA and adds an assumed 35 dBA ambient level. The nighttime permissible level is 40 dBA.

Sources [11]
Proponent projection

Full-build nighttime model

35.3 to 35.6 dBA cumulative

The model predicts project-only sound of 23.8 to 26.4 dBA at theoretical receptors 1,500 metres from the facility. These are modelled values, not operating measurements.

Sources [11]
ADCW context

Low-frequency tonality

Possible in report tables

The executive summary says the dBC-dBA difference is below 20 dB, but the phase tables show about 21 to 22 dB and the body labels the tonal component possible. ADCW does not repeat the executive-summary conclusion as settled.

Sources [11]

Indigenous context

Data centre projects sit within treaty territories and places with longstanding First Nations and Métis connections. This section brings together the public record on treaty geography, Indigenous ownership, consultation, and community concerns. Treaty boundaries alone cannot tell us which communities may be affected or how they view a project.

ADCW context

Treaty geography

Treaty 8 territory

Regional context only. It does not establish consultation, consent, effects, or any community's position.

Sources [16]
Public record

ACO assessment

No consultation required for the referenced disposition

File FNC202600711-001 covers a 1.96-hectare Public Lands Act disposition for commercial data-centre development at NE 36-80-25 W4M. The advice says separate Water Act or EPEA authorizations may require their own consultation. It is not a finding of Indigenous support.

Sources [12]

Approval and public process

The municipal development permit and the live AUC power-plant application are separate approvals. The filing also identifies an outstanding Crown-land disposition. The filed Draftv2 EPEA document is not treated as an issued provincial environmental approval.

Public record

Municipal development permit

26-DP-001 issued

The signed municipal engagement form says the project complies with the land-use bylaw, requires no land-use amendment, and left the municipality with no unresolved concerns. The full permit conditions were not included in the PDFs reviewed by ADCW.

Sources [5], [12]
Public record

AUC application

Under review

Proceeding 31058 is a Rule 007 power-plant application. Filing the application does not authorize construction or operation of the power plant.

Sources [5]
Proponent statement

Participant notification

Two rounds completed

The filing says the full 19.8 MW configuration was included in the second notification round in August 2026 and reports no unresolved municipal concerns.

Sources [12]
Public record

Earlier AUC concerns

Corrected in a new filing; not adjudicated

The 2025 closure identified inaccurate Crown-land information, incorrect distances to nearby First Nations communities, and an incomplete record on whether appropriate consultation had occurred. The closure was not a permanent ban or a finding of support or opposition.

Sources [3], [5]
ADCW context

EPEA document

Draftv2

The filed appendix is a draft approval document. It is not evidence that Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act approval has been issued.

Sources [8]
Proponent statement

Crown-land disposition

Required before construction

The application says Armada must obtain an industrial disposition from Alberta Forestry and Parks and/or amend the existing well-site disposition through the Alberta Energy Regulator, as applicable.

Sources [5]
Proponent statement

Closure security

Approximately CA$2.05 million proposed basis

The filed estimate proposes a demand forfeiture bond, equivalent surety bond, or another acceptable instrument before commercial operation. The final amount, form, timing, and beneficiary remain subject to approval requirements.

Sources [10]
Proponent projection

Applicant schedule

Service targeted for Q3 2027

Armada requests AUC approval in Q4 2026 and proposes construction in Q1 2027. These are applicant targets.

Sources [5]

Timeline

Observed decisions and future dates are kept distinct; projected milestones may change.

  1. Public record

    Armada presents a 50 MW cryptocurrency-oriented data-centre concept and larger ambitions to M.D. of Opportunity council. [1]

  2. Public record

    The AUC closes the first 9.5 MW Hoole power-plant application after identifying filing deficiencies. [3]

  3. Public record

    The AUC closes the second 9.5 MW application because the required full Rule 007 application was not supplied. [4]

  4. Proponent statement

    The applicant conducts a second participant-notification round for the full 19.8 MW configuration. [12]

  5. Public record

    Armada files Application 31058-A001 for the 19.8 MW Hoole Natural Gas Power Generation Facility. [5]

  6. Proponent projection

    Applicant target for the project to enter service. This is not an approved or verified operating date. [5]

What we still don't know

Some details have not been made public or remain unresolved. We keep those gaps visible and update them when reliable information becomes available.

  • The AUC has not decided Application 31058-A001, and the final approved configuration and conditions remain unknown.
  • The signed municipal engagement form confirms Development Permit 26-DP-001 was issued, but the full permit and its conditions were not included in the PDFs reviewed by ADCW.
  • The relationship between the current 19.8 MW facility and the earlier 50 MW, 200 MW, and 1 GW ambitions is not defined in the reviewed public record.
  • The data-centre IT load, equipment operator, tenants, computing contracts, and commissioning status are not confirmed.
  • The filed Draftv2 EPEA document is not an issued approval, and the application gives conflicting statements on whether Water Act authorization is required.
  • The required Crown-land disposition and the final decommissioning and reclamation financial-assurance instrument are not confirmed.
  • Total site water demand, initial fill, make-up water, domestic use, fire protection, stormwater, and wastewater arrangements are not fully quantified.
  • Operating fuel use, greenhouse-gas emissions, nitrogen-oxide emissions, and post-construction air-monitoring results do not yet exist.
  • The noise assessment's internal inconsistency on possible low-frequency tonality remains unresolved, and no operating measurements are available.

Source record

Primary and official sources reviewed for this profile. Company disclosures support what the company said, not independent verification of future outcomes.

  1. March 26, 2025 council minutes, Armada Nowlit delegation, page 2

    Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17 · Municipal record · 2025-03-26

  2. Armada Nowlit acquired natural gas assets to power a 50 MW data centre

    Nowlit Solutions Corp. · Company disclosure · Accessed 2026-08-31

  3. December 23, 2025 closure: Proceeding 30253, Application 30253-A001

    Alberta Utilities Commission · Regulator · 2025-12-23

  4. May 7, 2026 closure: Proceeding 30707, Application 30707-A001

    Alberta Utilities Commission · Regulator · 2026-05-07

  5. Proceeding 31058: Hoole Rule 007 thermal power-plant application

    Armada Nowlit Energy Ltd. / Alberta Utilities Commission · Regulatory filing · 2026-09-14

  6. Filing announcement: Proceeding 31058, Application 31058-A001

    Alberta Utilities Commission · Regulator · 2026-09-14

  7. Appendix G: Hoole air-dispersion modelling report

    Calvin Consulting Group Ltd. / Alberta Utilities Commission · Regulatory filing · 2026-07-13

  8. Appendix H: Draftv2 EPEA approval

    Armada Nowlit Energy Ltd. / Alberta Utilities Commission · Regulatory filing · 2026-09-14

  9. Appendix I: Hoole environmental evaluation

    WSP Canada Inc. / Alberta Utilities Commission · Regulatory filing · 2026-09-11

  10. Appendix K: Hoole power-plant decommissioning and reclamation estimate

    VL Energy Ltd. / Alberta Utilities Commission · Regulatory filing · 2026-09-14

  11. Appendix L: Hoole noise-impact assessment

    ACI Acoustical Consultants Inc. / Alberta Utilities Commission · Regulatory filing · 2026-07-10

  12. Appendix N: Hoole participant-involvement program report

    Armada Nowlit Energy Ltd. / Alberta Utilities Commission · Regulatory filing · 2026-08-25

  13. March 25, 2025 approval and vesting order: Armada Nowlit Energy Ltd.

    Court of King's Bench of Alberta, hosted by PwC · Court decision · 2025-03-25

  14. Trustee's certificate: Armada Nowlit asset purchase completed April 1, 2025

    PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc., trustee for Sequoia Resources · Court filing · 2025-04-01

  15. Industrial ambient air-data index: Hoole South Sour Gas Plant, approval 10135

    Government of Alberta · Government database · Accessed 2026-08-31

  16. Wabasca and Treaty 8 regional context

    Bigstone Cree Nation · Government database · Accessed 2026-08-31