Kevin O’Leary, the prominent venture capitalist best known for his role as “Mr Wonderful” on ABC’s Shark Tank, unveiled his ambitious new venture at Data Center World 2025 in Washington, D.C. O’Leary, a seasoned investor in tech, is set to make a significant mark on the industry with Wonder Valley, a massive AI data centre project under construction in Alberta, Canada.
Spanning a staggering 6,000 acres in the Municipal District of Greenview, Wonder Valley is being purpose-built to meet the growing demands of artificial intelligence. The data centre will boast a total power capacity of 7.5 gigawatts, with an initial phase of 1.5 gigawatts slated for completion by 2027-2028 at a projected cost of $2 billion. Additional capacity will be added over the following years as the project expands.
During his keynote address, O’Leary described the growing demand for AI infrastructure as akin to a modern-day gold rush, focusing on small to medium-sized businesses, those with between 5 and 500 employees, which he believes represent the strongest market for AI-driven services.
The venture capitalist also took the opportunity to address some of the challenges involved in building and powering new data centres. O’Leary pointed to the complex regulatory environment and long delays in securing power from utility companies as significant hurdles. He shared a recent example of a data centre requesting 250 megawatts of power, only to be told that they would be able to receive just 25 megawatts, and that would take three years.
To overcome these challenges, O’Leary’s team sought an alternative solution. Rather than relying on an already strained power grid, they focused on securing stranded power and untapped natural gas resources that are not easily accessible to the market. Alberta, according to O’Leary, is particularly rich in these resources, making it an ideal location for the project.
Beyond its size, Wonder Valley is designed with sustainability and community benefit in mind. The data centre will operate entirely off the grid, but plans are in place to supply power to the surrounding community, ensuring that local electricity rates remain unaffected. The site is also strategically located in an area with ample land, natural gas, fibre infrastructure, and a skilled workforce.
O’Leary emphasised that the high capital cost of AI data centres requires large-scale projects to be economically viable. As he looks for similar sites to expand his vision, he has singled out locations like Alberta that offer supportive governments, access to natural resources, and robust infrastructure.
However, O’Leary also expressed concerns about the industry's current approach to local community relations. He pointed out that new data centre projects often face resistance due to concerns over power consumption and rising electricity prices. To combat this, O’Leary suggested that developers focus on benefiting the local community by ensuring that projects provide additional power, create jobs, and support local infrastructure development.
