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EDMONTON — Meta is investing more than $13 billion to build its first Canadian data centre in Alberta, creating thousands of jobs and marking one of the largest private-sector investments in Canadian history.
The technology company, which owns Facebook and Instagram, plans to build the data centre in Sturgeon County within Alberta’s Industrial Heartland.
The provincial government says the project will create more than 3,000 construction jobs, support about 300 permanent operational jobs and generate approximately $250 million annually through royalties, taxes, levies and fees.
Meta is also investing approximately $60 million in local infrastructure improvements, including roads and water infrastructure.
Premier Danielle Smith said the investment demonstrates Alberta’s growing ability to attract major technology projects as artificial intelligence drives increasing demand for computing infrastructure.
“Artificial intelligence is transforming the global economy, and Alberta is making sure we lead rather than follow,” Smith said.
The data centre will operate under Alberta’s “bring your own power” approach, which requires large data centres to help provide the electricity needed for their operations and pay for supporting infrastructure.
The campus will combine electricity from the provincial grid with new natural gas generation.
Meta will fully fund new generation and grid infrastructure required to support the project.
The development is being paired with Project Greenlight, a $4.6-billion natural gas-fired electricity generation facility announced last week by Pembina Pipeline Corporation, Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners and Kineticor.
The Alberta government says the additional generation and transmission infrastructure associated with the developments could reduce transmission costs on residential electricity bills by up to six per cent.
The province says Alberta’s rules for large data centres are designed to attract investment while protecting grid reliability, water resources and electricity customers.
Meta’s Sturgeon Data Centre will use a closed-loop liquid cooling system with dry cooling, eliminating the need for operational water use to cool the facility.
Water use will be limited to domestic purposes, fire protection and equipment maintenance, subject to approvals under Alberta’s Water Act.
Gary Demasi, Meta’s vice-president of data centre strategy and development, said access to energy, infrastructure and skilled workers helped attract the company to Alberta.
“We’re thrilled to announce Meta’s first Canadian data centre in Alberta,” Demasi said. “Sturgeon County is the perfect home for Meta for several reasons, including its strong access to infrastructure and energy, talented workforce, and outstanding community partners.”
Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish said the investment followed two years of efforts to attract major data centre developers and establish regulations for the emerging industry.
“Data centres need reliable energy and speed to market,” Glubish said. “Meta’s investment proves that Alberta delivers.”
The data centre will be built on designated industrial land not used for agriculture, housing or food production.
The project also includes new digital infrastructure connecting Alberta with broader North American networks.
Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw said the investment will provide employment, tax revenue and infrastructure improvements while supporting long-term economic development in the region.
The Alberta Electric System Operator has determined 1,200 megawatts of electricity could be allocated to data centre developments without compromising the reliability or stability of the provincial power grid.
The province says its data centre policies require developers to pay for necessary infrastructure, meet environmental and water requirements and contribute financially to Alberta from the beginning of operations.
Construction timelines for the Meta data centre were not included in Wednesday’s announcement.
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