Meta Builds $9B Canadian Data Center in Alberta for AI Expansion

Meta announced Wednesday it is building its first data center in Canada, a $9 billion facility in Alberta's Sturgeon County with 1 gigawatt capacity, requiring two to three years to construct. The project represents Meta's 33rd data center overall as the company accelerates infrastructure buildout to meet AI service demand. Alberta's available energy supply and industrial-zoned land made Sturgeon County an attractive location for the facility.

Meta Selects Alberta for Infrastructure Access

The company stated in a blog post Wednesday that Alberta's western Canadian location offers substantial available energy and a favorable regulatory environment. Sturgeon County has long been zoned for industrial use and sits in an area with capacity for additional energy infrastructure. A Meta spokesperson stated the location met typical selection criteria: "good access to infrastructure, a robust electric grid and access to energy, a strong pool of talent, and a great set of community partners that helped us move this project forward."

Meta Plans AI Expansion Amid Cloud Computing Push

Meta continues aggressive AI buildout while simultaneously planning a new cloud computing business that could involve selling excess capacity to third parties or offering access to AI models hosted within its infrastructure. The company forecast up to $145 billion on capital expenditures this year. Meta's stock is down about 9% this year while the Nasdaq is up 11%. Meta competes with hyperscalers Alphabet, Microsoft and Amazon, which all operate established cloud infrastructure businesses.

Meta Partners with Energy Firms for Facility Operations

Meta worked with Canadian energy firms including Greenlight Limited Partnership, Altalink, Capitol Power, and the Alberta Electric System Operator "to plan for and meet our energy needs years in advance of this data center coming online." A June report from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation highlighted environmental concerns about emissions, water consumption and noise from large data centers. Meta stated the project will support over 3,000 construction workers at its peak and will involve investments in local infrastructure and funding to local nonprofits.

FAQ

What is the capacity and cost of Meta's new Canadian data center?

Meta's first Canadian data center in Alberta will have 1 gigawatt capacity and cost approximately $9 billion to construct over two to three years.

Why did Meta choose Alberta for its first Canadian data center?

Meta selected Sturgeon County in Alberta due to the province's available energy supply, robust electric grid, industrial zoning, and favorable regulatory environment for data center development.

How many construction workers will the Alberta data center project employ?

Meta stated the project will support over 3,000 construction workers at its peak construction phase.