Your questions, answered.

We know that a project of this scale raises questions and considerations for neighbours, local communities and the wider region. Our goal is to develop Malachite One responsibly, while considering the local environment, existing land uses, community infrastructure and the people who live and work in the region.

This FAQ is intended to share information about the project, how it is being planned, and the work underway to understand and address those questions. As planning, consultation and regulatory review continue, we will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Have questions about Malachite One?

Explore our FAQs to learn more about the project and what it could mean for the region.

Project Development

  • Malachite One is a proposed data centre and dedicated power-generation development in Yellowhead County, located on Crown land approximately 45 km southwest of the Town of Edson and more than 5 km from the Hamlet of Robb.

    At full development, the project is expected to require approximately 1 GW of power, with the vast majority generated on site using natural gas. A 74.9 MW connection to Alberta’s electricity grid is also proposed. Malachite One would be developed in phases over time.

  • Malachite One is being developed by Emerald Energy Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tourmaline Oil Corp. Emerald is leading overall project development and power generation, including planning, regulatory engagement and coordination with project partners.

    Tourmaline would supply natural gas from its regional operations, using infrastructure associated with the adjacent Banshee Gas Plant — creating a significant new source of local demand for Alberta natural gas.

    Stream Data Centers is leading the design and development of the data centre campus, bringing more than 26 years of experience developing and operating large-scale data centre facilities across North America.

  • The location was purposefully selected because many of the things Malachite One needs already exist here. Located on Crown land adjacent to Tourmaline’s Banshee Gas Plant, the site provides access to abundant natural gas, established energy and water infrastructure, water-management expertise and an experienced industrial workforce.

    The region’s cooler climate supports efficient data centre cooling, while the location also provides an opportunity to explore future carbon management through the Clearwater Carbon Sequestration Hub located directly beneath the project.

  • Data centres are the physical infrastructure behind the digital services people and businesses use every day — including banking, healthcare, navigation, communications, cloud services and artificial intelligence. As AI and other digital technologies grow, so does the need for large-scale computing capacity. Advanced AI systems use large numbers of specialized processors working simultaneously, requiring reliable electricity, cooling and high-speed connectivity.

    Malachite One represents an opportunity to connect Alberta’s abundant natural gas and energy expertise with this growing technology sector — creating new local demand for natural gas while attracting investment in advanced computing.

  • Malachite One will be developed in phases, with dedicated on-site power generation increasing from approximately 200 MW in Phase 1, to 600 MW in Phase 2, and approximately 1 GW at full build-out. A 74.9 MW connection to Alberta’s electricity grid is also proposed. At full build-out, Malachite One is expected to generate approximately 15 MW on site for every 1 MW sourced from the grid.

    Phasing allows the project to grow over time, with each stage planned, constructed and brought into operation in sequence. Development would occur progressively, with future phases dependent on project development, approvals and demand.

Energy, Infrastructure & Public Services

  • Yes. Malachite One proposes to generate almost all of the electricity it needs on site rather than drawing it from Alberta’s electricity grid.

    Natural gas supplied by Tourmaline would fuel dedicated on-site power generation, with the electricity delivered directly to the data centre campus. At full build-out, Malachite One is expected to generate approximately 15 MW on site for every 1 MW sourced from the grid.

    This approach takes advantage of the natural gas and existing energy infrastructure already available at the site, while limiting the project’s reliance on Alberta’s electricity grid. A 74.9 MW grid connection is also proposed to supplement on-site generation and provide additional reliability.

  • Malachite One is being designed to generate almost all of the electricity it needs on site, limiting its reliance on Alberta’s electricity grid. In Phase 1, the project is expected to generate approximately 3 MW on site for every 1 MW drawn from the grid, increasing to approximately 15 MW for every 1 MW from the grid at full build-out.

    A 74.9 MW grid connection is proposed. Malachite One would be responsible for the costs of its dedicated power generation, grid connection and project-specific infrastructure — those costs would not be passed on to local residents through their electricity bills.

    The grid connection would also be subject to Alberta’s regulatory and electricity-system requirements, including assessment of its safe and reliable integration with the grid. The detailed operating relationship will continue to be refined as project planning and regulatory work advance.

  • Construction of Malachite One will bring increased activity to the area, including workers, heavy equipment, construction vehicles, noise and dust. Current estimates anticipate approximately 700-1,300 temporary construction jobs associated with the data centre campus and an additional 500-1,000 associated with the power-generation facilities.

    Because the project will be developed in phases, construction activity would occur over time rather than all at once. Planning will address working hours, traffic volumes and heavy-haul routes, workforce and accommodation needs, noise, dust and road requirements, with the proposed primary site access from Highway 47.

    Malachite One recognizes that other construction and development activity is also taking place in the region. Workforce accommodation, labour sourcing, traffic and community infrastructure needs will therefore be considered as planning advances, with more detailed information shared with the community as it becomes available.

Environment - Water, Air, Land & Noise

  • Water is used differently by the data centre and the power-generation facilities.

    The data centre will use a closed-loop cooling system that continuously recirculates coolant rather than relying on evaporative cooling. Each data hall requires approximately 625 m³ for a one-time initial fill, after which the system is sealed and recirculated. This reduces routine daily water consumption for IT cooling by close to 100%.

    Water used for power generation supports efficiency — not cooling. Requirements are expected to begin at approximately 750 m³ per day, increasing to approximately 2,500 m³ per day at full build-out as larger, higher-efficiency turbines are introduced. Water would be drawn from the Embarras and McLeod rivers, using two sources to minimize reliance on any single river. The project is being designed to reuse approximately 80–90% of process water each day.

    Water supports two key efficiency processes: in Phase 1, a small amount is injected with natural gas to improve combustion efficiency by approximately 10%. In Phase 2, combined-cycle generation captures waste heat to produce additional electricity, reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 35% compared with simple-cycle generation.

  • For data centre cooling, water remains within a closed-loop system and is continuously recirculated. Each data hall requires approximately 625 m³ for its initial fill, after which the system is sealed and the cooling water is reused throughout normal operations. This reduces routine daily water consumption for IT cooling by close to 100%.

    For power generation, water is used to improve efficiency rather than for cooling. The system is being designed to reuse approximately 80–90% of process water each day, reducing the amount of new water that needs to be drawn from the Embarras and McLeod rivers.

  • Malachite One’s natural gas-fired power generation will produce emissions. Air-quality modelling and environmental studies will assess potential effects and help determine the emissions controls, operating requirements and monitoring needed to protect local air quality.

    The project is being designed using modern, high-efficiency natural gas-fired generation. As the project develops, combined-cycle generation would capture waste heat to produce additional electricity, reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 35% compared with simple-cycle generation.

    Malachite One is also evaluating carbon capture and storage (CCS) as part of its long-term carbon-management approach, with the potential to capture up to 90% of CO₂ emissions from power generation before they reach the atmosphere.

  • Malachite One will generate noise during both construction and operations. Operational noise sources may include power-generation equipment, data centre cooling systems and other mechanical equipment.

    The project has been purposefully located more than 5 km from the nearest residence. Design measures such as equipment selection, acoustic enclosures, stack silencers and site layout will be used to manage operational noise. Current modelling indicates that at the 1.5 km project boundary, the maximum nighttime basic sound level would be comparable to a quiet library.

    Noise from the full development will also be assessed as part of project design, including the combined effects of the data centre, power-generation facilities and existing industrial operations. The power-generation facilities will be required to meet applicable Alberta Utilities Commission noise requirements, with noise impact assessments used to identify any additional mitigation required.

Community & Economic Impact

  • Malachite One represents up to $20 billion in potential investment in Yellowhead County. Current estimates anticipate approximately 700-1,300 construction jobs associated with the data centre and an additional 500–1,000 construction jobs associated with the supporting power facilities.

    At full development, the project is expected to support approximately 120-160 long-term data centre jobs and 40–60 power-facility jobs. Current modelling also estimates Malachite One could generate more than $50 million annually in Yellowhead County municipal tax revenue by 2032, supporting the County’s ability to fund services, infrastructure and other community priorities.

    Beyond direct employment and tax revenue, Malachite One is expected to create opportunities for local businesses and suppliers, workforce training, Indigenous participation and community investment. More detailed employment, procurement and community-benefit programs will be developed as the project advances.

  • Construction and long-term operations will require a broad range of goods and services, creating opportunities for local contractors, suppliers and service businesses. These could include construction and trades, transportation, equipment and materials, accommodation, food services, maintenance and professional services.

    The project’s procurement strategy is still being developed, including how local businesses will be able to register, qualify and compete for work. More information about upcoming opportunities, procurement requirements and how businesses can participate will be shared as the project advances.

  • Malachite One is a privately developed and financed project. The project would be responsible for its own development and operating costs, including the data centre, dedicated power generation, project-specific infrastructure and its proposed connection to Alberta’s electricity grid.

    The financial risk would be carried by the project and its private-sector participants, not Yellowhead County or local taxpayers. Malachite One is not seeking municipal funding and is not being developed with government subsidies, tax holidays or taxpayer-backed financing.

  • The facilities are being designed for an operating life of at least 30 years. At the end of operations, decommissioning and reclamation responsibilities would include removing infrastructure, environmental assessment, recontouring affected land and revegetating disturbed areas in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.

    Malachite One will develop a reclamation security plan, including how reclamation costs are calculated and reassessed, the form of financial security and how those funds can be accessed. The security is intended to ensure funds are available to complete reclamation, including if the project owner is no longer able to meet those obligations.

Regulation, Consultation & Accountability

  • Different parts of Malachite One will be reviewed by different authorities, with requirements covering power generation and grid connection, water, environmental protection, Crown land, Indigenous consultation and municipal development.

    Key authorities and processes are expected to include the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) for power generation; Alberta Environment and Protected Areas for matters including water, environmental requirements and Crown land; the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) for the proposed grid connection; the Alberta Aboriginal Consultation Office for Crown consultation requirements with Indigenous communities; and Yellowhead County for applicable municipal planning and development requirements.

    Additional provincial or federal approvals may also be required as the project advances. Malachite One must obtain the applicable approvals and meet the conditions established by those authorities before the relevant components of the project can proceed.

  • Malachite One remains a proposed project, and technical, environmental and regulatory work is still underway. This includes studies and assessments related to water, wildlife and habitat, air quality and emissions, noise, land use, power generation, electrical infrastructure and other potential project effects.

    The results will help refine the project design, identify measures to avoid or reduce potential impacts, and support the regulatory applications required before construction can proceed. Each applicable regulator will review the information relevant to its area of responsibility and determine what approvals and conditions are required.

  • Indigenous consultation and engagement are an important part of Malachite One. Engagement is currently underway with nine Indigenous communities, as directed by Alberta’s Aboriginal Consultation Office, and will continue as the project advances through planning, regulatory review and development.

    Engagement will focus on sharing project information, understanding potential impacts to Indigenous rights and interests, and listening to community concerns and priorities. Indigenous knowledge and feedback will also help inform ongoing project planning and development.

    Malachite One will also explore opportunities for longer-term collaboration, including environmental stewardship and monitoring, employment, procurement and contracting, training and other forms of economic participation.