Meta has revealed plans to construct a massive one-gigawatt data center in the northeast of Edmonton, marking its inaugural venture of this kind in Canada. The tech giant, known for platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, disclosed that it will inject over $13 billion into the initiative, set to take shape in Sturgeon County. As part of the project, Meta will also allocate $60 million towards enhancing local infrastructure.
The data center will employ an innovative closed-loop, liquid-cooled system featuring “dry cooling” to eradicate operational water consumption. It will be predominantly powered by electricity sourced from the grid, supplemented by on-site natural gas-generated power. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, alongside Meta representatives and Sturgeon County Mayor Alanna Hnatiw, convened in Calgary for a press conference detailing the development.
Smith emphasized Alberta’s advantageous cool climate, skilled workforce, and AI proficiency as significant draws for industry interest. She asserted, “We believe our province can compete with any jurisdiction on Earth and what we have to offer,” adding that Alberta is poised to play a pivotal role in the AI landscape.
Last year, Alberta enacted legislation enabling data centers to self-generate power, a move aimed at reducing reliance on water resources, especially for cooling purposes. Gary Demasi, Meta’s Vice President of Data Center Strategy and Development, confirmed that the project’s cooling systems will not necessitate water usage. He highlighted Meta’s commitment to achieving water positivity by 2030, aiming to replenish more water than consumed within local watersheds.
The initiative is projected to create 3,000 jobs during construction and sustain 300 positions upon operational commencement. With the Sturgeon County endeavor marking Meta’s 33rd data center, the company envisions a significant economic impact on Alberta. While Meta has yet to specify an exact launch date for the data center, Demasi indicated it will come to fruition “in the next few years.”
Mark Daley, Chief AI Officer at Western University, lauded data centers as pivotal economic drivers of the 21st century. Daley highlighted the strategic advantage of locating data centers in Canada, a nation rich in energy resources. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised regarding Alberta’s energy strategy, particularly its emphasis on self-generated power, potentially favoring natural gas over more cost-effective, low-carbon alternatives.
Alberta’s Technology and Innovation Minister Nate Glubish defended the province’s approach, assuring that stringent regulations are in place to prevent adverse outcomes witnessed elsewhere. Glubish underscored the fairness and competitiveness of Alberta’s regulatory framework, emphasizing accountability for any breaches.