Meta plans to build $9.5bn data centre in Canada

Meta Platforms has announced plans to invest more than C$13 billion ($9.5 billion) to build its first data centre in Canada, a 1-gigawatt artificial intelligence-optimised facility in Alberta that will also be the company's largest data centre outside the United States.

The facility, to be built in Sturgeon County, north of Edmonton, is expected to create up to 3,000 construction jobs at peak and more than 300 permanent operational positions, Meta said.

The company said the data centre will be powered by electricity matched with 100% renewable energy and will operate without using water for cooling.

Meta is also planning to invest about C$60 million in local infrastructure upgrades as part of the project, which will be its 33rd data centre globally.

The announcement underscores growing investment in AI infrastructure in Alberta, as technology companies expand computing capacity to support artificial intelligence applications, said a company spokesman. 

The project reflects the province's appeal to large-scale data centre operators, citing its electricity grid, workforce and regulatory environment, he added.