No construction approval has been issued by the City for a data centre facility. Council has received information about a proposed project, and the City has land use provisions that could allow a data centre campus in the appropriate district. Any future development would still need to meet the City’s application, technical review, and permitting requirements.
Proposed Beacon Data Centre: Current Status and FAQ
The City of Chestermere is aware of questions and concerns about proposed data centre developments in the Calgary region, including projects associated with Beacon Data Centres.
There are currently several separate data centre-related proposals being discussed publicly in the region. One is within Chestermere, while others are in neighbouring municipalities such as Rocky View County. This page is intended to clarify what applies to Chestermere, what does not, and what the City’s role is in reviewing any future development applications.
Current status in Chestermere
Beacon Data Centres previously presented a proposed data centre concept for lands in the southern part of the City of Chestermere. The proposal was introduced publicly in 2025 and was described as a potential major investment in Chestermere.
At this time, the City is not reviewing a development permit application for construction of a data centre facility.
If a development permit or other project-specific application is submitted, it would be reviewed under the City’s Land Use Bylaw, statutory plans, engineering standards, and all applicable provincial and federal regulatory requirements.
No construction approval has been issued by the City for a data centre facility.
Chestermere project vs. Rocky View/Indus project
Some recent resident questions appear to reference the Rocky View County/Indus project. That is a separate project and is not located within the City of Chestermere.
| Topic | Chestermere | Rocky View County / Indus |
| Municipality | City of Chestermere | Rocky View County |
| Current status | No City development permit application is currently under review for construction of a data centre facility | Rocky View County approved an Area Structure Plan for the Beacon AI Hub area |
| Power plant application | No City power plant application is currently before Chestermere | A natural gas-fired power plant application is currently before the Alberta Utilities Commission |
| Decision-maker | City of Chestermere for municipal planning and development matters within Chestermere | Rocky View County for municipal planning matters; Alberta Utilities Commission for the power plant application |
| Public process | Future City applications would follow the City’s required review and public notification processes | The AUC process is separate and managed by the Alberta Utilities Commission |
What Council has and has not approved
Council has received information about a proposed data centre concept and the City’s Land Use Bylaw has been amended to include data centre-related provisions.
This does not mean that a final development permit has been issued or that construction has been approved.
A development permit application would require the applicant to provide project-specific details. Depending on the application, this may include servicing, stormwater, traffic, utilities, noise, environmental controls, fire safety, site design, landscaping, access, and other technical information required by the City.
What would be reviewed if an application is submitted?
If a development application is submitted, the City would review it based on the specific details provided. The City’s review may include, but is not limited to:
- Water, wastewater, and stormwater servicing requirements
- Fire protection and emergency access
- Traffic and road impacts
- Noise impacts and potential noise mitigation
- Heat, emissions, dust, lighting, and visual impacts
- Site design, building height, setbacks, fencing, landscaping, and screening
- Security and controlled access
- Development agreement requirements
- Compliance with applicable municipal, provincial, and federal regulations
The City will not make assumptions about project impacts without reviewing a formal application and supporting technical studies.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rocky View/Indus project the same as the Chestermere project?
No. The Rocky View/Indus project is separate from the Chestermere proposal. Rocky View County has its own municipal planning process. The Alberta Utilities Commission is also reviewing a power plant application associated with the Indus project. The City of Chestermere does not approve or refuse Rocky View County development applications or Alberta Utilities Commission applications.
Is there a power plant proposed in Chestermere?
At this time, the City is not reviewing a development permit application for a data centre facility or a power plant associated with a data centre facility in Chestermere. If such an application is submitted in the future, the City will review it under the applicable municipal requirements. Provincial or federal approvals may also be required depending on the nature of the proposal.
Will this affect residents’ electricity bills?
The City does not set electricity generation rates or provincial transmission policy. Electricity policy and large-load connections are managed provincially through Alberta’s electricity framework, including the Alberta Electric System Operator and Alberta Utilities Commission. The Province has stated that data centre power solutions should avoid compromising affordability and reliability for Albertans.
How much water would a data centre use?
The City has not received a project-specific development permit application that confirms the proposed design, cooling system, water source, water demand, or operating requirements for a Chestermere facility. Water use can vary significantly depending on the design and technology used. Any future application would need to address water servicing, wastewater, fire protection, and other municipal servicing requirements to the satisfaction of the City.
What about drought or water restrictions?
Any future application would be reviewed in the context of Chestermere’s municipal servicing capacity, regional water supply arrangements, infrastructure requirements, and applicable regulations.
What about noise?
Noise is a common concern with large industrial and technology facilities. The City’s Land Use Bylaw allows the Development Authority to require technical information, mitigation measures, and noise attenuation studies where appropriate. If a development application is submitted, the City may require the applicant to identify expected noise impacts and propose mitigation measures.
What about health, air quality, heat, and emissions?
A future application would need to provide sufficient technical information for the City to assess the proposal within its municipal authority. Depending on the nature of the project, provincial and federal regulatory requirements may also apply. The City’s review would be based on project-specific information, technical studies, and applicable regulations.
What about fire protection and emergency response?
Any future development application would need to address fire safety, site access, emergency response considerations, and required fire protection measures. The City’s Land Use Bylaw requires a Fire Safety Plan for a data centre campus to be submitted to the satisfaction of the City’s Fire Chief.
How will residents be informed?
If a future application requires public notification or Council consideration, the City will follow the required notification and public process. Residents are encouraged to use this webpage for updates and to rely on City-issued information rather than unofficial or non-project-specific claims circulating online.