Meta has started building its first data center in Canada. The new facility is located in Sturgeon County, Alberta. This will be Meta’s 33rd data center worldwide and the first one in Canada.
The project focuses on AI workloads. Meta plans a 1 gigawatt data center optimized for artificial intelligence operations. The facility will cover about 4 million square feet and use a closed-loop, liquid-cooled system with dry cooling. This design helps reduce water use while keeping the equipment cool.
Meta is investing over CAD $13 billion, roughly $9 billion USD, in this new center. In addition to the main site, it will spend about CAD $60 million (about $42 million USD) on local infrastructure improvements. These investments will support roads, utilities, and other services around the center.
Jobs and Community Impact
The construction phase of the data center will support more than 3,000 workers at its peak. Once the facility is operational, it will create over 300 permanent jobs. These jobs will cover roles in operations, maintenance, and management of the center.
Alanna Hnatiw, mayor of Sturgeon County, expressed excitement about the project. She said, “We’re excited to work with our new neighbours as we continue to make that vision a reality.” The investment is expected to boost the local economy and support community growth.
Why Alberta for AI Infrastructure?
Alberta offers plenty of clean energy, which is vital for running large data centers. Meta’s choice reflects the increasing demand for AI computing power. These centers host the complex models and systems that billions of people rely on daily.
Meta explained, “This data center will be optimized for our AI workloads, helping bring to life the technologies that billions around the world use to connect, find communities, grow businesses, and experience the power of our wearables.” This shows how important AI is to Meta’s future plans.
With this center, Meta adds to the global infrastructure needed for AI research and services. It also signals strong confidence in Canada’s ability to support large tech investments. This project could pave the way for more AI-focused growth in the region.
Based on
- Reeves to launch City ‘skills compact’ committing firms to retrain staff in AI — theguardian.com
- Cz9nw4z5g9qo — bbc.com
- BBC Learning English – English at Work / Reality bites — bbc.com
- Canada’s getting its first Meta data center, and it’s built for AI | Business Insider Africa — africa.businessinsider.com
