Bell Plans to Buy 895 Acres of Farmland for $52 Billion AI Expansion

Bell plans to buy about 895 acres of farmland around its AI data centre south of Regina, potentially expanding the campus to more than six times its current size.

Rezoning documents filed with the Rural Municipality of Sherwood outline the purchase, according to CBC News. The additional land would bring the site to roughly 1,055 acres. The existing 160-acre campus received approval in April despite local opposition. Two of its six approved data halls are expected to open in the first half of 2027.

Bell now proposes up to nine additional buildings, with construction starting as early as 2027. The plans support the 1.2-gigawatt expansion announced in September, with an estimated $52 billion price tag.

SaskPower would supply 300 megawatts, while Bell would generate the remaining 900 megawatts using natural gas. The province says this would keep those power costs off Saskatchewan families’ bills. The generators would occupy a separate site farther from Regina, but its location remains unknown.

Council gave the rezoning proposal first reading yesterday, but final approval still requires further steps, including a public hearing.

Reeve Ray Orb said disruptions at previous meetings prompted the online format. Protest organizer Taran Ulrich called it “entirely a way to just circumvent any sort of criticism.”

Property records identify deputy reeve Kevin Chekay among the landowners. Orb confirmed Chekay recused himself from the vote and earlier data centre discussions. The purchases remain conditional, and existing owners could continue farming undeveloped land through a leaseback arrangement.

Bell says the full expansion depends on customer commitments, permits and environmental assessments. No public hearing date has been announced, and Bell must also consult with First Nations.