Meta is constructing a $13 billion [1] artificial-intelligence data centre in Sturgeon County, Alberta.
The project marks the company's first data centre investment in Canada. It signals a significant expansion of the physical infrastructure required to power large-scale AI models and services within the North American market.
Located northeast of Edmonton, the facility is designed to operate with a power capacity of one gigawatt [1]. To meet these energy requirements, the site will be supported by a natural-gas power plant [1]. This energy strategy allows the facility to maintain high-capacity operations independently of the local electrical grid's existing constraints.
Environmental concerns regarding water usage are addressed through the facility's design. Meta is implementing a closed-loop water-cooling system [1]. This specific technology ensures that the data centre does not draw water from the surrounding area [1], a critical consideration for industrial developments in the region.
The announcement of the project first appeared in July 2024 [2]. The investment represents a major industrial shift for Sturgeon County, bringing high-tech infrastructure to a region traditionally known for other economic drivers.
By integrating its own power generation and cooling systems, Meta is creating a self-contained hub for its AI operations. The scale of the one-gigawatt [1] capacity places this facility among the most power-intensive industrial sites in the province.
“Meta is constructing a $13 billion artificial-intelligence data centre in Sturgeon County, Alberta.”
The establishment of a one-gigawatt facility demonstrates the immense energy and cooling demands of modern generative AI. By opting for a natural-gas plant and closed-loop cooling, Meta is prioritizing operational autonomy and resource stability over reliance on public utilities, reflecting a broader trend where big tech firms build dedicated energy infrastructure to avoid local grid bottlenecks.
