November open house set for proposed Red Deer County data centre

November open house set for proposed Red Deer County data centre

Published 3:05 pm Tuesday, October 20, 2026

An open house has been set for Nov. 3 for a proposed $300 million AI research centre in Red Deer County.

Wave Infra has proposed building a five-megawatt AI research lab in the county’s Junction 42 development east of Penhold.

The county has begun the planning process needed to clear the way for the project.

On Oct. 6 county council approved first reading of a bylaw amendment to the area structure plan for Junction 42. First reading was also passed for a bylaw to rezone the 13.8-acre lot to medium industrial from agricultural district eyed by Wave Infra for its project. Public hearings for both planning changes has been set for Nov. 17 at Red Deer County Centre.

Meanwhile, the company has announced its representatives will present at an open house on Nov. 3 from 4-7 p.m. at Holiday Inn and Suites at 33 Petrolia Drive in Gasoline Alley East. The company said it will provide details on its plans.

Rezoning is only a part of the approval process. It would make a data centre a permitted use on the land. The county would later have to approve a development permit.

Data centres also require provincial approval. Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) approval is required for any power generation, transmission and grid connections. Alberta Environment and Protected Areas provides water approvals and ensures environmental standards and emissions regulations are met.