EDMONTON – Alberta has introduced Bill 8, the Utilities Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, with the hope of paving the way for data centres to bring their own generation.
According to a release, if passed, proposed amendments would see energy-intense data centres that bring their own generation prioritized, accelerating the approval process and supporting their connection to the grid.
The changes would also ensure data centre projects would pay for necessary transmission upgrades for data centre grid connections.
The act would build on changes made in the spring through the Energy and Utilities Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 to support the implementation of the “Restructured Energy Market.”
This includes the finalization of the market’s framework, based on industry engagement by the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO).
“The bill also proposes changes to enhance electricity transmission policy, recognizing incumbent generators and incentivizing more efficient use of existing power infrastructure,” the release adds. “It will also enable Alberta’s hydrogen-blended natural gas regulatory framework around hydrogen blending pilot projects.”
The AESO has allocated 1,200 MW through its interim approach for data centre connection requests and is beginning work to develop a long-term framework for integrating new large load electricity customers, like data centres.
Implementation of the Restructured Energy Market is expected to begin in 2027.
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