Record $50B AI Investment
Bell Canada plans a massive $50 billion AI data centre expansion in Saskatchewan.
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Key Points
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Bell’s 300-megawatt Sherwood facility near Regina, announced in March, is expected to cost $1.7 billion and has already pre-sold capacity to U.S. neocloud companies Cerebras and CoreWeave.
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Unlike the existing Sherwood project, which draws power from SaskPower’s grid, Bell expects future Saskatchewan data centres to use dedicated electricity generated by natural-gas producers, consistent with the province’s newly released data-centre framework.
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Saskatchewan’s data-centre framework prioritizes Canadian-owned projects, developers with data-centre experience and proposals that address data sovereignty.
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The agreement was announced at an event attended by Prime Minister Mark Carney, ahead of the Canada Investment Summit.
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Bell’s broader AI strategy includes not only building data centres but also arranging services and partnerships to help governments and businesses adopt artificial intelligence.
Bell Canada is quadrupling its Saskatchewan AI data-centre expansion under a nonbinding agreement with the province, adding up to 900 megawatts of capacity and potentially generating over $50 billion in capital investment CTV News. The move would raise Bell's national AI Fabric capacity target from 800 megawatts to 1.7 gigawatts, alongside a 300-megawatt facility already under construction near Regina. CEO Mirko Bibic announced the plan with Premier Scott Moe at the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto, calling it a major step in Canada's AI infrastructure.
Future projects will proceed as customers commit to using them, with new facilities expected to secure dedicated power supplies from natural-gas producers BetaKit. Unlike the existing Sherwood facility, which draws from SaskPower's grid, incoming data centres will tap dedicated electricity consistent with Saskatchewan's newly released data-centre framework that prioritizes Canadian-owned projects and data sovereignty.
The Sherwood Facility Already Pre-Sold to U.S. Companies
Bell's 300-megawatt Sherwood facility near Regina, announced in March, is expected to cost $1.7 billion and has already pre-sold capacity to U.S. neocloud companies Cerebras and CoreWeave Yahoo News. This existing project draws power from SaskPower's grid and serves as the foundation for the larger expansion announced this week. The facility represents Bell's first major push into AI data-centre development in Western Canada.
Saskatchewan's New Data-Centre Framework Shapes Future Projects
Saskatchewan's data-centre framework released alongside the announcement prioritizes Canadian-owned projects, developers with proven data-centre experience, and proposals that address data sovereignty Head to Topics. This framework sets the stage for how Bell and other operators will build and operate new facilities in the province. The province is positioning itself as a strategic hub for North American AI infrastructure.
Bell's Broader AI Strategy Goes Beyond Building Data Centres
Beyond construction, Bell is arranging services and partnerships to help governments and businesses adopt artificial intelligence BetaKit. The company views data centres as one piece of a larger strategy to position Canada as an AI leader. This multipronged approach includes working with customers to tailor infrastructure and support for their specific AI needs and deployment timelines.
Saskatchewan Calls Investment 'Largest Private Capital Project' in Canadian History
Saskatchewan characterized the $50 billion investment as the largest private-sector capital investment in Canadian history Daily Guardian. The announcement was made at the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto, drawing attention to Saskatchewan's growing role in the continental AI infrastructure buildout. The province sees the expansion as a transformational opportunity for economic growth and technology development.
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