Meta has revealed plans to construct a large one-gigawatt data center in the northeast of Edmonton, marking its initial venture of this kind in Canada. The social media giant, known for platforms like Facebook and Instagram, announced an investment exceeding $13 billion for the project situated in Sturgeon County. Additionally, Meta has committed $60 million towards enhancing local infrastructure.
The data center project will employ a closed-loop, liquid-cooled system utilizing “dry cooling” to eliminate the need for operational water usage. The facility will be powered by a combination of grid electricity and on-site natural gas-generated power. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, alongside Meta executives and Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw, held a press conference in Calgary to discuss the development.
Smith highlighted Alberta’s advantageous cool climate, skilled workforce, and expertise in artificial intelligence (AI) as factors attracting industry interest. She expressed confidence in Alberta’s ability to compete globally and become a prominent player in the AI revolution. Last year, Alberta passed legislation permitting data centers to produce their own energy.
Data centers have drawn criticism for their significant water consumption, especially for cooling purposes. Gary Demasi, Meta’s Vice President of Data Center Strategy and Development, assured that the project will not require water for cooling operations. He emphasized Meta’s goal to be water-positive by 2030, aiming to replenish more water than they consume locally.
The Sturgeon County data center initiative is projected to create 3,000 jobs during construction and 300 permanent positions post-launch. It will be Meta’s 33rd data center globally. Situated in the Alberta Industrial Heartland region northeast of Edmonton, the facility will be accompanied by Project Greenlight, a natural gas-powered electricity generation plant. While no specific operational start date has been set, Meta anticipates launching the data center within the next few years.
Mark Daley, Chief AI Officer at Western University, hailed data centers as key economic drivers in the modern era. He praised Canada’s abundant energy resources, advocating for the country as an ideal location for data center construction. Daley viewed Meta’s investment as a significant opportunity for any province aiming to bolster its strategic position.
Despite some enthusiasm for Alberta’s approach, concerns have been raised regarding the province’s promotion of self-power generation by project proponents. Critics fear this policy may drive up natural gas demand and prices, potentially impacting consumers. Alberta’s Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish defended the province’s strategy, assuring that a robust regulatory framework is in place to ensure fairness, reasonableness, and competitiveness. He emphasized that all companies must adhere to the same rules and be held accountable for any violations.