Meta to invest $9.1 billion in first Canadian AI data center
8 reported
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced Wednesday it will invest more than US$9.1 billion to build its first artificial intelligence data center in Canada, which will be its largest facility outside the United States. The data center will be located in Sturgeon County, Alberta, and will be powered by a natural gas-fired plant developed by a consortium that includes Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Ltd. Alberta Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish described the project as significant for the province, noting that Alberta created a regulatory framework to attract such investment. The province has been pursuing hyperscale data centers as demand for AI infrastructure grows, but concerns have been raised about the electricity and water requirements of these facilities. Because Alberta’s electricity grid cannot support multiple large AI data centers, the province is prioritizing projects that secure their own power generation. Meta stated the data center will use a closed-loop cooling system that will not draw water from surrounding sources, and the company plans to invest US$42 million in local infrastructure, including roads and water systems.
What’s reported
Meta announced Wednesday it will invest more than US$9.1 billion (13 billion Canadian dollars) to build its first AI data center in Canada.
The facility will be located in Sturgeon County, Alberta, and will be Meta’s largest data center outside the United States.
The data center will be powered by a natural gas-fired plant being developed by a consortium including Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Ltd.
Alberta Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish called the project “a big deal for Alberta.”
Alberta’s electricity grid cannot support multiple large AI data centers, so the province prioritizes projects that build or secure their own power generation.
Meta said the data center will use a closed-loop cooling system that will not draw water from surrounding sources.
Meta plans to invest US$42 million in local infrastructure, including roads and water systems.
The 932-megawatt Greenlight Electricity Center, for which Meta was identified as the customer, is expected to begin operating in the second half of 2030.
Key figures
Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram)
Nate Glubish, Alberta Technology and Innovation Minister
Pembina Pipeline Ltd. (Calgary-based)
Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners
Kineticor Asset Management
Sources: abcnews.com
