A large piece of northeast Edmonton industrial land once set aside for petrochemical development could instead become part of a major data centre district.

Stantec, acting for Walton Global Investments, has applied to amend the Edmonton Energy and Technology Park plan, including redesignating 253 hectares, or 625 acres, from its petrochemical precinct to medium industrial use.

The bigger change would allow large data centres and associated power generation facilities within the medium industrial precinct, opening the land to an asset class that was not contemplated when the park’s plan was approved in 2010.

Walton describes its vision as a hyperscale ready digital infrastructure project capable of supporting one of North America’s largest data centre and computing oriented industrial districts.

The land play is significant because the Energy and Technology Park contains Edmonton’s largest concentration of unserviced industrial land. Walton has also previously sold large development sites in Texas and Virginia for data centre projects.

No operator, power capacity or water requirements have been disclosed. Public consultation runs through Oct. 25, with further rezoning, utility and development approvals required before construction.

The application covers lands at 20411, 21103, 21104 and 21150 34 Street NW and 21103 and 21603 50 Street NW.

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