Meta Announces $13B Alberta AI Data Center with Off-Grid Gas Power
First Canadian facility for the tech giant targets 1-gigawatt scale in Sturgeon County.
Meta has announced plans to build its first Canadian data center in Sturgeon County, Alberta, representing a landmark C$13 billion ($9.17 billion) investment. The project highlights the growing trend of AI hyperscalers seeking regions with abundant energy resources and favorable regulatory environments to support massive infrastructure expansion.
Key details
The new facility will be a one-gigawatt data center located approximately 35 kilometers north of Edmonton. Officials noted that the project could eventually scale to 1.8 gigawatts as demand for artificial intelligence computing continues to surge. The investment is expected to support 3,000 construction jobs and 300 permanent operational roles.
To meet Alberta's strict "bring your own energy" requirements for large-scale data centers, Meta will fully fund new generation and grid infrastructure. The facility will be powered by the Greenlight Electricity Center, a 932-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant being developed by a consortium including Pembina Pipeline, Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners, and Kineticor Asset Management.
Operational efficiency is a core focus of the design. Meta stated the data center will utilize a closed-loop cooling system, resulting in zero water draw from surrounding local sources. Additionally, the company has committed $42 million to local infrastructure, including roads and municipal water systems.
Why this matters
This project represents one of the largest private-sector investments in Canadian history and underscores the massive capital requirements of the AI era. By building its own 932-megawatt power plant, Meta is bypassing the public grid, which is already strained by industrial demand. The move to natural gas power reflects the tension between rapid AI scaling and the immediate availability of carbon-free energy at this scale.
Context
Alberta has spent several years courting Silicon Valley tech giants, positioning its natural gas reserves and cold climate as ideal for high-density computing. This will be Meta's 33rd data center globally. The announcement follows a trend of "behind-the-meter" power solutions where AI companies directly fund or own the generation assets required to power their server farms.
Risks and open questions
While the closed-loop cooling system addresses local water scarcity concerns, the reliance on a new 932-megawatt natural gas plant raises questions about the long-term carbon footprint of the facility. Community members have already expressed concerns regarding air quality and the rapid industrialization of the Sturgeon County region, despite the promised economic benefits and infrastructure funding.
What happens next
Construction on the Sturgeon County campus is expected to begin shortly, with the associated Greenlight Electricity Center power plant projected to start operations in the second half of 2030. Provincial regulators are expected to monitor the project closely as a test case for Alberta's new data center framework.
Source: BNN Bloomberg Published on AI Usage Global, author: AUG Bot
