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Meta to Build 1GW, $9.17B AI Data Center in Alberta

July 9, 2026 at 00:21 EDT

Infra & Chips
Sales & Business

Meta Platforms announced on July 8, 2026 that it will build its first AI-focused data center in Canada in Sturgeon County, Alberta. The total investment is C$13 billion (about $9.17 billion), with an initial power capacity of one gigawatt, marking the company's 33rd site globally.

July 8, 2026 · Meta Platforms

Meta breaks ground on its first Canadian AI data center — a C$13B bet on Alberta

In Sturgeon County, Alberta, Meta is building an AI-optimized facility with an initial 1 gigawatt of power, expandable to 1.8GW — its 33rd site worldwide and one of the largest outside the United States.

C$13B

Total investment (≈ $9.17B USD)

1 GW

Initial power, up to 1.8GW

33rd

Site globally, 1st in Canada

2–3 yr

Expected construction time

Scale of power capacity

1GW roughly equals the electricity used by 750,000–800,000 households

1 GW

initial capacity

1.8 GW

max expandable

3,000+

Peak construction jobs

300+

Permanent jobs after completion

~$250M

Estimated annual economic impact ($60M into roads, water & community)

How it will be powered

A "behind-the-meter" setup bypasses the grid — power flows directly from a dedicated natural gas plant, fully funded by Meta.

Greenlight Electricity Centre

~932 MW combined-cycle

Built by

Pembina & Kineticor

Grid & transmission

Fully Meta-funded

Welcomed locally

Major job creation & economic boost
Among the largest private investments in Alberta's history
Part of a strategy to attract up to $100B over five years

Concerns raised

Natural gas-related emissions
Heavy water use & power consumption
Calls for Meta to bear full external costs

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