Meta to Build $9.1 Billion AI Data Center in Alberta

Meta will invest more than $9.1 billion to build its first artificial intelligence data center in Canada, the company said Wednesday. The facility will be located in Sturgeon County, Alberta, and will become the company's largest data center outside the United States.

The data center will be powered by a 932-megawatt natural gas-fired plant developed by a consortium that includes Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Ltd. The plant is expected to begin operating in the second half of 2030.

Meta stated the data center will use a closed-loop cooling system that will not draw water from surrounding sources. The company also plans to invest US$42 million in local infrastructure, including roads and water systems. Alberta's electricity grid cannot support multiple large AI data centers, so the province is prioritizing projects that secure their own power generation.

Last week, Pembina Pipeline, Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners and Kineticor Asset Management announced they would proceed with the Greenlight Electricity Center in Sturgeon County, with Meta identified as the customer.

Minister called the project a big deal for the province. Alberta has been courting hyperscale data centers as demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure increases. The rapid growth of AI has fueled concerns about the vast amounts of electricity and water such facilities require, as well as their strain on power grids and nearby communities.