Meta has revealed plans to construct a substantial one-gigawatt data center in the northeastern region of Edmonton, marking its initial venture of this kind in Canada. The social media giant, renowned for platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, disclosed in a press release on Wednesday that it will inject over $13 billion into the project situated in Sturgeon County.
In addition to the data center, Meta has committed to enhancing local infrastructure with a $60 million investment. The company disclosed that the facility will utilize a closed-loop, liquid-cooled system featuring “dry cooling” to eliminate water consumption during operations. The data center’s energy will be sourced from the grid and on-site natural gas power generation.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, alongside Meta representatives and Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw, made the announcement in Calgary. Smith highlighted the economic benefits, projecting a minimum annual revenue of $250 million for Alberta from the Meta project.
Acknowledging Alberta’s favorable climate, skilled workforce, and AI expertise, Smith emphasized the province’s competitive edge on a global scale. She expressed confidence in Alberta’s pivotal role in the AI industry’s advancement.
The project aligns with Alberta’s legislation allowing data centers to self-generate power, addressing concerns regarding water usage. Gary Demasi, Meta’s Vice President of Data Center Strategy and Development, assured that the project’s cooling systems will not rely on water, emphasizing Meta’s goal to have a positive water impact by 2030.
Upon completion, the data center is expected to create 3,000 construction jobs and sustain 300 operational positions. Demasi noted that this initiative in Sturgeon County will mark Meta’s 33rd data center globally.
Situated in the Alberta Industrial Heartland, the data center will neighbor Project Greenlight, an electricity generation facility powered by natural gas. While an exact operational commencement date is pending, Demasi hinted it would be within the next few years.
Experts like Mark Daley, Chief AI Officer at Western University, view data centers as significant economic drivers in the modern era. Recognizing Canada’s abundant energy resources, Daley praised Meta’s investment as a strategic move that could attract further opportunities and industry growth.
Despite enthusiasm for the project, concerns have been raised regarding Alberta’s power generation policies favoring natural gas over low-carbon alternatives. Critics fear potential consumer cost spikes due to data center demands and increased LNG exports. However, Alberta’s Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish defended the province’s approach, emphasizing a balanced and transparent regulatory framework to ensure accountability.
The Meta data center project in Sturgeon County signifies a major milestone, positioning Alberta as a key player in the evolving AI landscape and tech industry.