Pembina Pipeline and Kineticor Asset Management have formed a joint-venture to develop a gas-fired power plant and data-centre project in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland.

The proposed Greenlight Electricity Centre (GLEC) would have 1,800 megawatts of power capacity. The planned project includes land for a co-located 1,800-MW data centre complex.

Alberta’s Industrial Heartland is the first industrial zone in the province. Located northeast of Edmonton, the zone covers five different municipalities, including Fort Saskatchewan, Alta.

Calgary-based Pembina has acquired a 50% interest in Greenlight Electricity Centre Limited Partnership, which is managed by Calgary-based Kineticor.

“In addition to our direct investment in Greenlight, Pembina is well-positioned to leverage its existing and future asset base to further support the project,” said Stu Taylor, Pembina’s senior vice-president and corporate development officer. “The proximity of our Alliance pipeline offers a potential opportunity to provide natural gas supply to the GLEC, and the potential future development of the Alberta Carbon Grid may provide a future emissions-reduction solution.”

Plans call for the power facility to be built in modular phases, each providing approximately 450 MW, to meet Alberta’s growing electricity demand from data centres. The site is positioned near key infrastructure, including transmission lines and carbon-sequestration facilities.

Greenlight is advancing grid interconnection plans and working with potential data-centre operators on power-offtake agreements.

“By partnering with Pembina, we can leverage and combine our individual strengths and experience in major infrastructure projects to bring all the pieces together to develop a world-class facility,” said Andrew Plaunt, Kineticor’s CEO.

The project supports Alberta’s goal of attracting $100 billion in data-centre investment by 2030.

Kineticor developed, constructed, and currently operates the 900- MW Cascade power plant near Edson, Alta.

Image: Kineticor