Boreal Technology Hub

How large could it become?: Up to 1.6 GW proposed at full build-out. The project website checked on October 18, 2026 gives this higher figure. TransAlta’s earlier disclosure described up to 1 GW, and its July filing made development conditional on approvals and final agreements. No final commitment to build the full project is confirmed. [2][6][7] Proponent projection

First-stage grid allocation: 230 MW under a signed load contract. AESO, Alberta's grid operator, lists P3083 in its completed first allocation round. The project must still complete the connection process. [3] Public record

All three grid requests: 861 MW requested in total. August list: P3083 has 230 MW at Stage 2; P3095 has 466 MW at Stage 2; P3152 has 165 MW at Stage 1. These are connection-process stages, not construction stages. [4] Public record

Dates in the grid list: 2027 and 2028 for the first 230 MW. P3083 is split into 115 MW dated January 1, 2027, and 115 MW dated March 27, 2028. P3095 and P3152 have dates under review. None is a guaranteed opening date. [4] Public record

The power station already on site: 861 MW of existing gas generation. This is a separate figure from the grid requests. TransAlta has not confirmed that all this power would serve the data centre. ADCW does not count it as newly proposed generation. [8][6] ADCW context

Associated generation approval: 829 MW Keephills Unit 1 repowering approved. The AUC approved the power plant on October 7, 2026. This is not approval of Boreal or evidence that all output is committed to it. [12] Public record

Underlying power-plant studies: Application, consultant assessments, and intervener evidence available. The air quality assessment covers Keephills 1 and Sundance 5. The noise assessment concerns Keephills 1. The expert review and information-request responses are evidence submitted by the Lac Ste. Anne Métis Community Association (LSAMCA), not AUC findings or a Boreal emissions inventory. [13][14][15][16][17] ADCW context

Electricity use and air emissions: Project-specific totals not published. The final supply design and backup generators?Backup generation×Backup generators provide electricity when the normal supply is unavailable. They may also run for testing or maintenance.Installed capacity does not establish continuous operation, annual fuel use, or emissions. Operating hours and permit conditions are separate evidence.Learn more → are not confirmed. Capacity alone does not establish annual electricity use or emissions. [7][5] ADCW context

Proposed cooling system: Closed-loop cooling?Closed-loop cooling×Cooling fluid circulates repeatedly through a contained loop instead of being routinely discharged after one pass.That describes the loop, not the whole site's water use. A separate heat-rejection system can still use water, and filling, maintenance, and leaks also matter.Learn more →. Boreal proposes recirculating water supplied through existing TransAlta infrastructure and cooling ponds, with no Wabamun Lake withdrawals. [11] Proponent statement

Initial fill and ongoing top-ups: 7,952 m³ initial fill; about 700 m³/year make-up. The initial fill equals 7.952 million litres and is explicitly based on a 300 MW facility. These preliminary cooling estimates are not total campus demand. The 300 MW design basis differs from the 230 MW grid allocation; ADCW has not scaled the figures. [11] Proponent projection

Water permissions and drainage: Campus allocation and final plans unverified. Existing infrastructure does not establish permission for a particular volume. Cooling estimates do not establish total withdrawals, consumption?Withdrawal, consumption, and discharge×Withdrawal is water taken from a source. Consumption is the portion not returned to the same water system. Discharge is water released after use or treatment.These are different quantities. Check which one a water figure describes before comparing projects.Learn more →, or wastewater for the campus and its electricity supply. [11] ADCW context

What could neighbours hear?: Data-centre study still forthcoming. Boreal says assessment results will be shared at the next open house. Numerical predictions and final controls remain unavailable. [11] Proponent statement

Separate power-plant assessment: 40 dBA at night at receptor R02. The AUC decision reports a modelled?Modelled versus measured×A modelled result is a prediction based on inputs and assumptions. A measured result comes from observations or instruments under particular conditions.A prediction is not verified operating performance. Check the location, period, operating scenario, and what the reported number actually represents.Learn more → cumulative level for Keephills Unit 1 and nearby energy facilities, with no margin below the nighttime limit. This is not a Boreal sound prediction. The AUC requires updated modelling before additional sound sources are built. [12] Public record

Where would the buildings go?: Phase 1 proposed on part of Section 25-51-4-W5M. The project team identifies Sections 24 and 13 as possible later phases. The map remains an approximate area, not a proposed building footprint or approved campus boundary. [2] Proponent statement

Treaty geography: Treaty 6 territory. This describes location, not consent or any Nation's position on the proposal. [9] ADCW context

Project-specific Indigenous engagement: Outcomes not confirmed. The reviewed project disclosures do not establish participating Nations, concerns, agreements, or consultation outcomes. [5] ADCW context

What has Council approved?: Land-use changes, not the buildings. Council passed the planning amendments on September 4, 2025. The County's September 2026 update says no development-stage applications have been received. A master site development plan and development permit?Development permit×A municipality's approval allows a specified use or development on a particular site, subject to its land-use rules and any conditions.Separate provincial or utility approvals may still be needed. A permit does not establish that construction has begun or that the facility is operating.Learn more → are still required before construction. [1] Public record

Recorded public engagement: October 7, 2026 open house held. Boreal confirms the event took place and links to presentation boards and a feedback form. The County announced a 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. drop-in at Keephills Community Hall covering the concept and proposed stripping and grading. Feedback results are still pending publication: no What We Heard report was found on the reviewed project or County pages as of October 18, 2026. The County requires that report with a development proposal. Future engagement is planned, but no next meeting date was found. [2][10][1] Proponent statement

Jobs and investment: 150 operating jobs projected for Phase 1. The project website also projects more than 1,000 construction jobs and over $5 billion in Phase 1 investment. These are developer projections, not jobs already created or confirmed local hiring. [2] Proponent projection

Who is behind it?: BGRE leads development for Brookfield and CPP Investments. TransAlta provides the land and power. BGRE is the development lead, not a confirmed operator. A future data-centre operator or customer has not been named. [1][2] Public record

When would it open?: No confirmed opening date. Grid-planning dates below are not a construction or operating schedule. [4][5] ADCW context