Meta Breaks Ground on First Canadian Data Center with CAD $13 Billion AI Investment

An investment exceeding CAD $13 billion positions Meta's new data center in Sturgeon County, Alberta, as a cornerstone of its global expansion. The company announced on July 8, 2026, that this 1GW facility, its first in Canada and 33rd worldwide, will be specifically optimized to power its artificial intelligence innovations.

This massive data center will not only bolster Meta's technological infrastructure but also serve as a crucial hub for the AI technologies utilized by billions globally. From connecting communities to fostering business growth and enhancing the experience with its "wearables," AI drives many of Meta's offerings.

This massive data center will not only bolster Meta's technological infrastructure but also serve as a crucial hub for the AI technologies utilized by billions globally.

The project is set to bring substantial economic impact to Sturgeon County. Meta estimates that at the peak of construction, approximately 3,000 workers will be employed on-site. Once operational, the data center will support over 300 permanent jobs.

Beyond job creation, Meta is committed to the local community through an investment of approximately CAD $60 million in infrastructure improvements. This includes upgrades to roads and water systems, directly benefiting residents. The company will also launch its annual "Data Center Community Action Grants" in the region, providing direct funding for local nonprofits.

A critical aspect of this expansion is Meta's focus on energy sustainability. The company fully covers the energy costs of its data centers to prevent negative impacts on consumers. For this Alberta project, Meta collaborated closely with Greenlight Limited Partnership, Altalink, Capitol Power, and the Alberta Electric System Operator to secure energy supply years in advance.

In Alberta, Meta is fully funding new generation and grid infrastructure to support its data center. This not only meets its own needs but will also improve the reliability of the entire Alberta grid, benefiting all consumers, according to the company. Consistent with all its facilities, this data center's electricity use will be matched with 100% clean and renewable energy.

Water stewardship is another priority for Meta, which aims to be "water positive" (restoring more water than it consumes) globally by 2030 across its owned operations. To achieve this, the Sturgeon data center's design incorporates a water-efficient closed-loop, liquid-cooled system with dry cooling.

This advanced system means there will be no operational water use in the cooling system. Water consumption at the site will be limited to domestic uses, fire protection safety, and equipment maintenance. Meta also pays the full costs of water and wastewater services required, and annually discloses water withdrawal and energy use for all its facilities at sustainability.atmeta.com.

With this groundbreaking, Meta not only expands its AI processing capabilities but also reinforces its commitment to sustainable practices and community development, aiming to achieve its global "water positive" goal by 2030.