Should a 1,500 MW Gas Power Plant Be Built Near Indus to Power AI Data Centres?

Official title: Beacon AI Centers Indus Project

Closed Environmental Assessment Environment & Climate Natural Resources Technology & Digital
Indus Power wants to build a massive natural gas power plant about 2 km northwest of Indus, Alberta. The facility would run 100 gas-powered generators producing nearly 1,500 megawatts—enough to power a large AI data centre. It would operate for 25 years. The federal government is reviewing whether this project needs a full environmental assessment.

Why This Matters

Live near Indus? This plant would be in your backyard for 25 years. Natural gas plants produce emissions and noise. The power is for AI data centres—a booming industry that's hungry for electricity. This is one of the first major projects linking Alberta's energy sector to the AI boom.

What Could Change

If approved, a 1,494 MW gas-fired power plant could be built near Indus. That's roughly the output of a medium-sized nuclear reactor. The project would need federal and provincial permits for air emissions, water use, and land disturbance. Conditions could require noise limits, emissions monitoring, and community consultation throughout the 25-year operation.

Key Issues

  • What are the air quality and emissions impacts of 100 natural gas generators?
  • How will the project affect nearby residents and communities?
  • What are the water and land use requirements for the facility?
  • Should this project proceed to a full impact assessment?

How to Participate

  1. The public comment period closed on January 26, 2026. You can still view the 74 comments submitted by others.
  2. Apply for participant funding by February 5, 2026 to help cover costs of participating in the assessment process.
  3. Review the summary of the initial project description and the full initial project description to understand what's being proposed.
  4. Subscribe to updates to be notified when new documents are posted or future comment periods open.

What Happened

The public comment period on the summary of the Initial Project Description closed on January 26, 2026. A total of 74 comments were received. The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is currently reviewing all comments to prepare the summary of issues, which will be posted at a later date.

Key Documents