CALGARY, Canada — Meta has announced plans to build a $9 billion data centre in Alberta, marking the company’s first major facility in Canada and its largest outside the United States, as the tech giant accelerates its artificial intelligence infrastructure buildout.
The 1-gigawatt facility will be located in Sturgeon County, northeast of Edmonton, and is expected to take two to three years to construct. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith described the project as “one of the largest private-sector investments in Canadian history.”
Alberta’s abundant energy supply, cooler climate, and business-friendly regulatory environment were cited as key factors in the decision. The province has actively courted hyperscale data centres, offering clear rules requiring large projects to generate their own power and meet strict environmental standards.
The facility will span 2.9 million square feet and support more than 3,000 construction jobs at peak building, with approximately 300 permanent positions once operational. It will use a closed-loop, liquid-cooled system with “dry cooling” to eliminate operational water use, addressing environmental concerns about water consumption.
Meta’s vice president for data centre development, Gary Demasi, said Sturgeon County was chosen for its “good access to infrastructure, a robust electric grid and access to energy, a strong pool of talent, and a great set of community partners.” The company will invest $60 million in local infrastructure improvements, including roads and water systems.
The announcement has drawn some concerns from environmental advocates. Keith Stewart, senior energy strategist with Greenpeace Canada, called for a moratorium on “megadata centres” until there are legislated environmental protections on AI.
The project is the latest in a wave of hyperscale data centre construction, with major tech companies pouring tens of billions into AI infrastructure. Meta’s capital expenditures for 2026 are forecast between $125 billion and $145 billion.
