A plot of land set aside for a large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) data center development in northwestern Alberta has officially been designated as a designated industrial zone (DIZ) by the provincial authorities. The Greenview Industrial Gateway (GIG), spanning 75 square kilometers in the Municipal District of Greenview, is now the second area in the province to receive this classification.
Pending approval, the GIG is set to house Wonder Valley, a controversial $70-billion data center park project supported by celebrity investor Kevin O’Leary. The province recently announced the DIZ decision on August 26, highlighting that the designation positions the GIG as a key hub for industrial and technology investment.
The provincial government described DIZs as targeted zones for strategic investment and the development of clustered industrial activities to enhance economic diversification. The requirements for such designation include having a defined industrial area, appropriate municipal planning and governance, potential for industrial clustering, access to essential infrastructure and resources, and the ability to support coordinated regulatory and environmental management.
The Greenview Industrial Gateway, located on the oil- and gas-rich Montney formation and offering access to water, electricity, fiber-optic cables, and rail, is considered an ideal location for projects like Wonder Valley. Executives involved in the project have expressed optimism about the benefits of the DIZ designation in terms of attracting investors and facilitating development.
Kyle Reiling, executive director of the GIG, emphasized the significance of this designation, stating that local officials have long advocated for it. Despite the new classification, the approval process for the proposed data center at Wonder Valley remains unchanged, requiring the project to undergo necessary permits and approvals as outlined by the regulatory authorities.