Bell, in collaboration with the province of Saskatchewan, is advancing plans to expand a 300 MW data center facility by up to 900 MW, potentially reaching a total capacity of 1.2 GW. This ambitious development would position Saskatchewan as a leading AI hub in Canada and mark one of the largest capital investments in the province’s history. The initiative is anchored by a non-binding memorandum of understanding, with formalization of a CA$50 billion commitment anticipated as the next step.

A defining feature of the project is its energy approach. While the existing 300 MW buildout draws power from the grid, the proposed 900 MW expansion would be self-sourced, aligning with Saskatchewan’s recently introduced rules for large data center developments. These regulations require operators to supply their own power to avoid placing additional pressure on local infrastructure. Consequently, power generation is expected to account for a significant portion of the investment, with Bell exploring a natural gas facility in partnership with a third party as part of the energy strategy.

To mitigate environmental impact and resource use, the campus plans to deploy closed-loop cooling, a measure designed to curb local resource pressures and address potential community concerns. The project also anticipates creating substantial employment opportunities, including around 500–600 data center roles, supplemented by construction, logistics, and security positions across the project lifecycle.

Construction milestones indicate the initial 300 MW phase began in April 2026, with openings anticipated in 2027. Saskatchewan’s growing role as a data center hub is underscored by more than 30 development applications currently under review as of August 2026, reflecting the province’s attractiveness to digital infrastructure investments.

Industry leaders frame the endeavor as a catalyst for national competitiveness in AI. Mirko Bibic, CEO of Bell, notes that establishing a path to 1.2 GW of AI capacity through Bell AI Fabric will provide governments, businesses, researchers, and innovators with a secure, sovereign foundation to deploy AI at scale and compete globally.

As this project progresses, it will be essential to monitor regulatory developments, energy sourcing strategies, and community engagement efforts to ensure that the expansion delivers its technological and economic benefits while maintaining alignment with local priorities and environmental standards.

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