Local Bitcoin mining facility development approved
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Permission has been granted to redesignate nearly 11.5 acres of land within Wheatland County to facilitate the future development of a solar farm and data processing facility.
County council voted 5-2 in favour of redesignating the lands from agriculture general district to industrial general, during the May 19 meeting.
The discussion had returned to council following the May 5 meeting when it had been introduced. At the time, council voted to pass second reading, but permission to grant third had not been unanimous.
“I had trouble supporting it the first time around and the reasons are similar in that I worry about their reclamation,” said Coun. Berle Hebbes. “There are some very close landowners there, some multigenerational farmers who have some concerns with it that they did not feel were addressed.”
The subject lands in question are situated between Township Roads 244, 243A, and Range Road 203, east of Deadhorse Lake.
Development is proposed to consist of a 750-kilowatt ground mount solar installation, a 500 kilowatt co-located data processing facility consisting of a 40 ft by eight ft container and supporting infrastructure.
The applicant had previously proposed in December 2025 to begin construction in April, with completion having been anticipated by October. Once construction is allowed to begin, it was noted during the May 5 meeting to require approximately three months to complete.
Use of the term “data processing” in this instance refers to bitcoin mining operations. The solar facility is intended to offset energy consumption by the mining operation, with the potential to return energy back to the grid.
Though the existing topography and abandoned railway corridor will provide some visual screening to the facility, a glare hazard assessment will still need to be submitted alongside the eventual development permit application.
“At a high level, the municipal development plan supports economic diversification, including emerging sectors such as renewable energy and technology-based uses while also emphasizing the importance of protecting agricultural lands,” said Taylor Felt, senior planner, speaking on behalf of planning and development services. “The proposal essentially does strike this balance. It introduces a new form of development that supports the county’s economic objectives while remaining modest in scale and compatible with surrounding land uses.”
Coun. Rick Laursen and Coun. Hebbes remained in opposition to the land use redesignation when council called the vote.
A date has not yet been indicated for when the development permit application will return before council for consideration and review.