AI data centre investment: Meta to spend USD 9.1 billion on Alberta facility in Canada

Meta will invest more than USD 9.1 billion to build its first artificial intelligence data centre in Canada, in Sturgeon County, Alberta. The site is set to be powered by a natural gas-fired plant and use closed-loop cooling to reduce water demand. Alberta says its regulatory framework targets projects that secure their own electricity.

Meta said Wednesday it planned to spend more than USD 9.1 billion on an artificial intelligence data centre in Canada. Meta owns Facebook and Instagram. The company said the site would be its first AI data centre in Canada. Meta also described it as its largest AI data centre outside the United States.

The facility is set for Sturgeon County, Alberta. Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish said the project mattered for the province. Glubish linked the decision to Alberta’s rules for attracting such investment. Alberta has been seeking hyperscale data centres as demand rises for AI infrastructure.

Meta AI data centre Canada plan links to Alberta power limits

Alberta officials have flagged limits on the electricity grid for large AI sites. The province said the grid cannot support several major AI data centres. Because of that, Alberta has been favouring projects that arrange their own power. Meta said it would do that through a dedicated power supply.

Meta said the data centre would be powered by a natural gas-fired plant. A consortium is developing the plant, including Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Ltd. Last week, Pembina Pipeline, Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners and Kineticor Asset Management said they would proceed with the Greenlight Electricity Center in Sturgeon County.

Meta AI data centre Canada project names Greenlight Electricity Center customer

Meta was identified Wednesday as the customer for the Greenlight Electricity Center. The planned plant is rated at 932 megawatts. The developers said the power plant is expected to start operating in the second half of 2030. The data centre plan and the power project are tied to the same location.

AI growth has also raised concerns about resource use and local impact. Large facilities can consume high levels of electricity and water. Critics also point to pressure on power grids and effects on nearby communities. Alberta’s approach reflected these concerns while trying to secure new investment.

Meta AI data centre Canada design includes cooling and local spending

Meta said the data centre would use a closed-loop cooling system. Meta said the system would not draw water from surrounding sources. Meta also said it planned to invest USD 42 million in local infrastructure. The company listed roads and water systems as part of that spending.

Meta’s plan combined a major capital spend with a self-supplied energy source in Sturgeon County. Alberta officials said the province aimed to attract data centres through regulation and project selection. The power plant is scheduled for the second half of 2030, and Meta also outlined steps on cooling and local infrastructure support.

With inputs from PTI