Meta the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced a massive US$9.1 billion investment to build its first artificial intelligence (AI) data center in Canada. Located in Sturgeon County, Alberta, the facility will be Meta's largest outside the United States.
Alberta’s Technology and Innovation Minister, Nate Glubish, described the project as a major milestone, citing the province's regulatory efforts to attract high-tech infrastructure. The move comes as demand for AI technology surges globally.
Power and Sustainability Because Alberta’s existing power grid cannot support multiple large-scale data centers, Meta will utilize a dedicated power source. The facility will be fueled by the 932-megawatt Greenlight Electricity Center, a natural gas-fired plant currently under development by a consortium including Pembina Pipeline Ltd.. This plant is expected to be operational by the second half of 2030.
Addressing environmental concerns regarding water usage, Meta confirmed the center will use a closed-loop cooling system. This technology ensures the facility does not draw water from local surrounding sources.
Community Investment Beyond the data center, Meta plans to spend US$42 million on local infrastructure. This funding will support the development of roads and water systems within Sturgeon County. Alberta has prioritized such "hyperscale" projects that provide their own power generation to avoid straining the public grid.
