As artificial intelligence infrastructure expands worldwide, Meta has announced plans to establish its first data center in Canada with an investment of C$13 billion ($9.17 billion). The new 1-gigawatt AI data center will be built in Sturgeon County, Alberta, becoming Meta’s 33rd data center globally and its first Canadian facility.
One of the project’s most notable aspects is its massive energy requirement. According to the company, the facility will consume electricity equivalent to the power used by 800,000 homes. Meta said it plans to offset this demand by investing in clean and renewable energy projects.
The company also confirmed that the data center will use a closed-loop liquid cooling system designed to minimise water consumption. Meta’s Vice President for Data Center Development, Gary Demasi, said the facility is expected to use less water than a typical golf course.
The announcement was made in Calgary alongside Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and provincial officials. Alberta’s Technology Minister Nate Glubish said the project is the province’s first data center of this scale and added, “This is the first of its kind, the first of its size, the first of its scale, but it won’t be the last.”
Meta selected Alberta because of its affordable natural gas supply, colder climate and reliable energy infrastructure, all of which help lower operational costs for large AI facilities.
To support the project, Meta has signed a long-term agreement with Pembina Pipeline. The company is developing the Greenlight Electricity Centre, a natural gas-fired power plant expected to begin operations in late 2030. The facility is projected to consume around 150 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.
The investment reflects the growing demand for advanced AI infrastructure as technology companies build larger data centers to support next-generation AI models. Meta’s latest project highlights the industry’s increasing focus on securing computing capacity and reliable energy to power future AI development.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.