Meta to build C$13 billion data center in Alberta, its first in Canada

Meta announced on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, that it will construct a major data center in Sturgeon County, Alberta. This project, the company’s first in Canada and its 33rd globally, represents a total investment exceeding C$13 billion. The facility is designed to support the firm's expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure, which necessitates significant computing power.

The campus is set to occupy a site in the Alberta Industrial Heartland, an area the provincial government describes as established for heavy industrial use. According to Meta, the site will begin with 1 gigawatt of power capacity, with the potential to scale to 1.8 gigawatts. During the peak of construction, the project is expected to employ approximately 3,000 workers, with 300 full-time jobs anticipated once the facility is operational. In addition to the capital investment, Meta plans to contribute approximately C$60 million toward local infrastructure improvements, including roads and water systems.

The announcement follows a multi-year effort by Alberta officials to attract large-scale technology investments to the province. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish appeared alongside Meta executives in Calgary to confirm the plans. The provincial government estimates the facility will generate approximately C$250 million annually for the province through royalties, taxes, levies, and fees.

To meet the facility’s substantial energy requirements, Meta has secured a long-term tolling agreement with Pembina Pipeline and its partners, who are developing the Greenlight Electricity Centre in Sturgeon County. This 932-megawatt, natural gas-fired power plant is expected to be in service by late 2030 and is projected to require 150 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. Until that facility is operational, Capital Power will supply 250 megawatts of electricity for the site from its existing natural gas-fired fleet. Meta stated it will fully fund the new generation and grid infrastructure required for the project.

The company addressed concerns regarding the environmental impact of such large-scale developments. Meta stated the data center will utilize a closed-loop, liquid-cooled system with dry cooling to minimize water consumption, claiming that total operational water use will be lower than that of a typical golf course. Gary Demasi, Meta's vice president for data center development, said the company intends to match its electricity usage with 100% clean and renewable energy, and holds a goal to be water positive by 2030.

These assurances have not fully mitigated criticism from environmental groups. Keith Stewart of Greenpeace Canada argued for a moratorium on "megadata centers" until there are legislated environmental and human rights protections on AI, citing concerns over the emissions intensity of Alberta’s electricity grid, which currently relies significantly on natural gas. David Pickup of the Pembina Institute expressed further concerns that the high demand from data centers, combined with other industrial needs, could potentially drive up energy prices for consumers.

In response to these concerns, provincial officials highlighted that the current regulatory framework requires new data center proponents to build their own power sources to prevent straining the existing grid. Minister Glubish stated that the framework is intended to ensure fair and competitive practices across the industry. Additionally, Premier Smith noted that the Greenlight project, which will help power the data center, is expected to provide approximately a six-percent reduction in the transmission portion of Alberta ratepayers' electricity bills.

Meta has not provided a precise date for when the data center will begin operations, though company officials noted that construction will begin soon and is expected to take several years to complete.