Let me set the scene. It’s July 2026 — a full six months after Diode’s own deadline for a “preliminary answer” on power availability. And we’re still waiting.
In the meantime, Diode is asking Wheatland County to rezone hundreds of acres of prime farmland for a massive data centre campus. They’re presenting detailed plans for buildings, cooling systems, and site layout. But there’s one little detail they just can’t seem to nail down: where the power comes from.
What Diode Says — and Doesn’t Say
On their own website, Diode says they’re “working with AESO to understand power availability” and were “hopeful for a preliminary answer in early 2026.” Well, early 2026 came and went. The only question now is whether they’re still asking — or whether they already know the answer isn’t good.
Notice what they’re not saying. They talk about grid power and grid upgrades. Not on-site generation. Not bringing their own power. They’re counting on the provincial grid — the same grid that’s already overcommitted.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s talk about that grid. Alberta’s grid operator, AESO, ran a Phase 1 allocation of 1,200 MW of new data centre load. All of it — every single megawatt — went to just two projects: Meta (970 MW) and Keephills (230 MW).
For context, Meta isn’t just showing up with empty hands. In Sturgeon County, their Project Greenlight includes a $4.6 billion, 970 MW natural gas plant built right alongside the data centre. That’s bring-your-own-power in action. Which is exactly what Alberta’s “Bring Your Own Power” (BYOP) framework requires.
Goldfinch would need Phase 2 — which is currently in “pre-engagement” with no timeline. No timeline at all.
How Big Is This, Really?
The total data centre pipeline in Alberta sits at roughly 3.3+ GW. To put that in perspective, that’s about 20% of the province’s total generation capacity. One-fifth of our power — for server farms that may never materialize.
And Diode’s power plan? It keeps getting deferred to the “development permit stage” — conveniently after zoning approval. They’re asking us to say yes to the rezoning first, and figure out the power later.
A Pattern That Follows Them
This isn’t Diode’s first rodeo. They were defeated in Peculiar, Missouri. They withdrew from Charles City, Virginia. In both cases, communities pushed back when the promises didn’t match the plans.
And there’s another red flag: no end user has been named. We don’t know who would actually use this facility. Which makes it awfully hard to evaluate whether this project makes sense for our community.
What This Means for Wheatland County
We’re being asked to make a decision that will permanently change our farmland, our rural character, and our community — based on a power plan that doesn’t exist yet. That’s not planning. That’s hoping.
Before Council votes yes on this rezoning, we deserve answers. Real answers. Where is the power coming from? When will it be available? And who’s actually paying for it?
If Diode can’t answer those questions today, then it’s not ready for a rezoning decision.
Read the full evidence for yourself at The Facts, and get involved to make sure your voice is heard before Council makes this call.