BY COMFORT OGBONNA
Meta has announced plans to build its first data center in Canada, committing approximately C$13 billion (US$9.17 billion) to a massive artificial intelligence facility in central Alberta. The project represents one of the largest technology investments in Canadian history and reflects the company’s aggressive push to expand its global AI infrastructure as demand for advanced computing power continues to soar.
The new data center will be located in Sturgeon County and is designed with an initial capacity of one gigawatt, with the flexibility to expand to 1.8 gigawatts in the future. Once completed, it will become one of Meta’s largest AI facilities worldwide and its 33rd data center globally, highlighting the company’s growing focus on supporting AI applications and next-generation digital services.
The announcement was made in Calgary, where company executives appeared alongside Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and other provincial leaders. Alberta has spent years attracting major technology companies by promoting its abundant energy resources, competitive business environment, and favorable climate for operating large-scale computing facilities.
Provincial officials believe Meta’s investment could serve as the catalyst for a broader wave of technology development across Alberta. Technology Minister Nate Glubish said multiple large-scale data center proposals are already being considered throughout the province, suggesting the Meta project could be the first of many significant AI-related investments.
The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence has dramatically increased electricity demand among major technology companies. AI models require enormous computing resources, making access to affordable and reliable energy one of the most important factors when selecting locations for new data centers. Alberta’s abundant natural gas reserves provide a relatively low-cost energy source compared with many regions in North America, giving the province a competitive advantage in attracting these projects.
Another major benefit is Alberta’s cool climate, which naturally reduces the cost of cooling thousands of high-performance servers that generate significant amounts of heat. Lower cooling expenses improve operational efficiency and help reduce overall operating costs for large computing facilities.
The province currently operates around 20 small- and medium-sized data centers connected to Alberta’s electricity grid, which is powered primarily by natural gas. To support future growth without placing excessive strain on the existing grid, Alberta has introduced policies allowing companies to develop their own electricity generation alongside major data center projects.
Meta said it will fully finance the new electricity generation and supporting grid infrastructure needed for the Alberta facility. Once fully operational, the data center is expected to consume roughly the same amount of electricity used by approximately 800,000 homes, underscoring the immense energy requirements of modern AI computing.
Despite those demands, the company says it remains committed to reducing its environmental impact. Gary Demasi explained that Meta intends to offset the facility’s electricity consumption by investing in clean and renewable energy projects. He also noted that the center will feature a closed-loop liquid cooling system that continuously recycles water, keeping overall water usage below that of a typical golf course.
To secure long-term power for the project, Meta has partnered with Pembina Pipeline Corporation. The energy company recently approved construction of the Greenlight Electricity Centre, a new natural gas-fired power generation facility in Sturgeon County that is expected to begin operations in late 2030. Meta has entered into a long-term agreement to purchase electricity from the facility once it comes online.
Until the Greenlight plant begins operating, Capital Power will supply approximately 250 megawatts of electricity using its existing fleet of natural gas-powered generating stations. According to Pembina, the project is expected to require around 150 million cubic feet of natural gas each day, creating additional demand for producers across Western Canada and strengthening the region’s energy industry.
The investment comes as Canada works to position itself as a global destination for AI development. The federal government’s recently introduced artificial intelligence strategy highlighted the country’s abundant electricity resources and growing digital infrastructure as key advantages for attracting data centers and AI investment.
However, Meta’s announcement has also sparked criticism from environmental organizations. While Canada generally benefits from a relatively clean electricity mix, Alberta’s power grid relies far more heavily on natural gas than most other provinces, resulting in significantly higher greenhouse gas emissions. Critics argue that building energy-intensive AI facilities in regions with carbon-intensive electricity could undermine climate goals.
Environmental groups also questioned whether large technology companies should receive access to vast amounts of energy and natural resources without stronger environmental safeguards. Representatives from Greenpeace Canada called for stricter regulations governing the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure, urging governments to establish stronger environmental and human rights protections before approving additional mega-scale data centers.
Despite the debate, Meta’s Alberta project signals Canada’s growing importance in the global race to build the infrastructure powering artificial intelligence. As AI adoption accelerates across industries, investments of this scale are expected to become increasingly common, with provinces offering affordable energy, reliable infrastructure, and favorable business conditions likely to attract the next generation of digital investment.
Original article
Comments