Meta Reveals C$13bn Plans for its First Canadian Data Centre

Meta has broken ground on its first data centre in Canada, expanding its global infrastructure network to 33 facilities. 

Located in Sturgeon County, Alberta, the new 1GW hyperscale campus is optimised to handle AI innovations and support core corporate products. The development represents an investment of more than C$13bn and will help bring to life technologies used by billions of people to connect, find communities, grow businesses and experience wearable devices.

Rachel Peterson, VP of Data Centers at Meta, outlines the strategy driving the expansion.

"As we continue scaling Meta's data centre fleet to meet the demands of AI, every site we add is a deliberate choice – not just about where to build, but about how we show up as a long-term partner," she says, writing on LinkedIn.

“I'm excited to share that Meta is building a 1GW data centre in Sturgeon County, Alberta. This is our first facility in Canada, and the 33rd in our global portfolio. This is a more than C$13bn investment, and it represents a significant milestone in our infrastructure journey."

The project will generate extensive regional employment, supporting 3,000 construction workers at its peak and creating more than 300 permanent operational jobs. "We selected Sturgeon County for its access to energy and infrastructure, strong talent base, and a great set of community partners committed to working with us to move this project forward," Rachel says.

Powering the electrical grid

Integrating a 1GW facility into the provincial power grid requires comprehensive advance planning. Meta collaborated closely with Greenlight Limited Partnership, AltaLink, Capital Power and the Alberta Electric System Operator to project and meet energy demands years ahead of operation.

To ensure local consumers face no negative impacts, Meta pays the full costs of its data centres' energy use and is fully funding new power generation and grid infrastructure upgrades. This initiative aims to improve overall reliability across the entire Alberta grid network. The facility will also match its ongoing electricity usage with 100% clean and renewable energy.

Rachel explains the framework for energy “that strengthens the grid”. 

“We're fully funding new generation and grid infrastructure in Alberta which improves the reliability for all consumers,” she says. “We're grateful for the partnership of Greenlight Limited Partnership, AltaLink, Capital Power, and the Alberta Electric System Operator. And we'll continue to match this facility's electricity use with 100% clean and renewable energy."

Advancing sustainable cooling design

Resource conservation and environmental management remain a primary focus of the engineering design. Meta targets water-positive status by 2030, intending to restore more water than it consumes globally across its owned operations.

The Sturgeon County site incorporates a water-efficient, closed-loop, liquid-cooled system paired with dry cooling. According to the company, this configuration eliminates operational water consumption within the cooling loop, restricting onsite water use to domestic functions, fire protection safety and equipment maintenance. Meta will cover all water and wastewater infrastructure service costs, ensuring consumers are not negatively impacted, and publishes withdrawal data annually on its website.

Rachel highlights how sustainability governs their construction approach, because “how we build matters just as much as where and how fast”, which she adds reflects “responsible operations by design”.

"We pay the full costs of our energy and water use so other consumers aren't impacted,” says Rachel. “When it comes to water, this facility is designed with a closed-loop, liquid-cooled system, which means our annual operational water use is projected to be less than one typical golf course in the region."

Supporting the local community

The project framework also incorporates direct capital funding for regional municipal improvements. Meta is investing approximately C$60m in local infrastructure upgrades, focusing specifically on roads and water systems to benefit the surrounding area.

The company will also launch its annual Data Center Community Action Grants programme within the region this autumn to provide direct funding for local non-profit organisations.

"Long-term community commitment”, is crucial, she says. “Our Sturgeon Data Center will support over 3,000 construction jobs at peak, and more than 300 operational jobs once online. We're also investing C$60m in local infrastructure, and this fall we'll launch our Community Action Grants program to provide direct funding to local nonprofits.

"I'm proud to add Canada to our global portfolio and even more proud to call Sturgeon County and Alberta home."