Here’s how Saskatchewan’s new data centre plan stacks up against others in Canada

Bell and Saskatchewan have agreed to build the country's largest data center, with a projected investment of CA$50 billion. The facility aims to expand from its current 300MW capacity to 1.2GW, a fourfold increase.

The additional 900MW of capacity will need to be self-generated, as the province has mandated that large data centers provide their own energy. This presents a significant challenge, as the initial 300MW facility currently draws power from the grid. Saskatchewan's new rules require self-sourcing, which means Bell is likely to explore options such as natural gas facilities in partnership with third parties.

To further reduce resource consumption and minimize pressure on local infrastructure, the data center will employ closed-loop cooling technology. This innovation will help tame the environmental impact of the project and potentially alleviate local opposition.

The project is expected to create around 500-600 direct data center jobs, alongside opportunities in construction, logistics, and security roles. As of August 2026, Saskatchewan has been reviewing over 30 data center development applications, signaling the province's growing interest in the sector.

Bell's CEO, Mirko Bibic, believes that the CA$50 billion investment in the 1.2GW AI Fabric will provide governments, businesses, researchers, and innovators with a secure and sovereign foundation to deploy AI at scale and compete globally.