Meta to build $13 billion AI data centre in Alberta

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, confirmed on 8 July 2026 its intention to construct a massive artificial intelligence data centre in Sturgeon County, Alberta. The project represents an investment of over $13 billion and stands as the company’s first infrastructure foray into Canada. Designed as a one-gigawatt operation, the facility is located in the Industrial Heartland region north of Edmonton.

The announcement follows a multi-year effort by the provincial government to position Alberta as a hub for hyperscale data centres. Government officials have actively marketed the province’s abundant natural gas reserves and affordable electricity to U.S.-based technology firms facing power constraints elsewhere. This strategy included the creation of a regulatory "concierge" service to assist developers in navigating the provincial approval process, as well as the implementation of a data centre levy for large-scale projects, which is deductible from corporate income tax.

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The facility’s power requirements will be met through a "bring your own power" model mandated by provincial policy. The data centre will be supported by the Greenlight Electricity Centre, a $4.6 billion, 932-megawatt natural gas-fired facility currently under development by a consortium including Pembina Pipeline Corporation, Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners, and Kineticor Asset Management. Startup for this power plant is targeted for the second half of 2030, though the consortium holds permits that would allow for future capacity expansion.

Regarding the project's impact, the company and provincial officials anticipate significant economic contributions. According to local reports, the construction phase is expected to generate over 3,000 jobs, with 300 permanent positions created once the site becomes operational. Officials estimate the facility will contribute approximately $250 million annually in local benefits, including royalties, taxes, fees, and levies. Additionally, Meta has committed to spending $60 million on local infrastructure improvements, specifically targeting road and water systems.

Environmental and resource management remain key components of the development strategy. To address concerns regarding water consumption, the company plans to utilize a closed-loop, liquid-cooled system. This design is intended to avoid drawing water from the surrounding area, limiting operational usage to domestic requirements, fire suppression, and routine equipment maintenance. These water uses remain subject to oversight under the provincial Water Act. Despite these measures, the project has faced criticism. Keith Stewart, senior energy strategist with Greenpeace Canada, has advocated for a moratorium on “megadata centres,” arguing that such facilities raise significant concerns regarding air quality and electricity consumption.

The announcement coincides with a heightened corporate presence from major technology firms at the Calgary Stampede. While the event has historically been dominated by the oil and gas sector, recent years have seen an influx of U.S. Technology giants. Industry observers noted that other major firms, including Google and Amazon, participated in meetings and events surrounding the Stampede, indicating a growing interest from hyperscalers in the Canadian market. Google, which maintained a presence at the Stampede for the second consecutive year, hosted private functions attended by provincial and federal government representatives.

Gary Demasi, vice-president of data centre strategy and development at Meta, expressed the company’s intent to foster a long-term partnership with the region.

"We believe that the success of a data centre is only possible when the community itself succeeds along with it. More than that, we want Sturgeon County and Alberta to thrive,"

Provincial officials characterized the project as a deliberate result of long-term planning.

"We didn’t do it by accident. We did it by design. We did in a way that is going to benefit Albertans,"

Nate Glubish, Alberta Minister of Technology and Innovation, via Thestar.