Why are U.S. tech giants like Google, Meta, and Amazon participating in the Calgary Stampede — an event traditionally dominated by oil and gas companies?

U.S. tech giants are participating in the Calgary Stampede as part of Alberta’s active courtship of hyperscale data center investment, with the province touting its cheap and abundant natural gas supply, cold climate, and regulatory flexibility — including allowing companies to build their own power sources — to attract U.S. hyperscalers facing power constraints and community opposition at home.

What is Alberta’s stated goal for data center investment, and what major infrastructure project supports this ambition?

Alberta aims to attract C$100 billion in data center investment, and a key supporting project is Pembina Pipeline’s C$4.6 billion Greenlight Electricity Centre — a 932-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant in central Alberta designed to power a major data center for an undisclosed customer.

Big Tech joins Calgary Stampede oil bash, as Canada courts data centers

Jul 8, 2026

U.S. tech giants are courting Alberta for data center investment leveraging cheap natural gas, highlighted by Google's major presence at the Calgary Stampede. Pembina Pipeline announced a C$4.6 billion natural gas-fired electricity project to support upcoming hyperscale facilities.

reuters

2026-07-08

Big Tech joins Calgary Stampede oil bash, as Canada courts data centers

Big Tech joins Calgary Stampede oil bash, as Canada courts data centers

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