Journalism begins where hype ends

,,

The beautiful thing about AI and robotics is that you're never done."

— Manuela Veloso

Meta to Build First Canadian C$13 billion Data Centre as AI Infrastructure Demand Grows

Meta said the 1GW facility will use a closed-loop liquid cooling system with dry cooling, requiring no operational water for cooling.
Illustration of Meta's planned 1GW data centre in Sturgeon County, Alberta.
July 10, 2026 02:21 PM IST | Written by Neelam Sharma | Edited by Pratima O Pareek

Meta has announced its first data centre in Canada, a 1GW facility in Sturgeon County, Alberta, with an investment expected to exceed CA$13 billion.

Construction of the data centre is expected to create approximately 3,000 skilled trade jobs at peak, including steel workers, pipefitters, electricians, carpenters and fibre technicians. Once operational, the facility will support more than 300 jobs, including electricians, HVAC specialists, server and network technicians, and engineers, Meta said.

Frost Collective, a joint venture between Clark Builders and PCL Construction, has been appointed as the project’s general contractor.

Meta also plans to invest approximately CA$60 million in local infrastructure improvements, including roads and water infrastructure. The company said it will launch an annual Data Centre Community Action Grants programme to provide direct funding for local nonprofit organizations.

The Sturgeon Data Centre will use a closed-loop liquid cooling system with dry cooling, requiring no operational water use for cooling. Meta said the system recirculates a water mixture through data halls to remove heat from high-density computing hardware, while water use will primarily be limited to construction, facility operations and fire protection. The company also plans to use native vegetation, capture rainwater on site and incorporate water-saving fixtures and technologies to improve water efficiency.

Meta reiterated its goal of becoming water positive by 2030 and said it is partnering with ALUS to help conserve 200 acres of grasslands, trees and wetlands in the North Saskatchewan River watershed. According to the company, the facility’s annual operational water use is projected to be less than that of one typical golf course or a 50-acre canola farm in the region.

The investment comes weeks after reports that growing demand for AI computing capacity forced Google to limit Meta’s access to its Gemini AI models due to compute constraints.

Also Read: Meta Taps Reliance for its First AI Data Centre in India with Jamnagar Deal

Authors

  • Neelam Sharma, reporter at AI FrontPage

    Neelam Sharma is a passionate storyteller, and journalist with over a decade of experience across leading Indian media houses.
    Known for her calm presence on screen and powerful storytelling off it, Neelam brings a rare blend of credibility, creativity, and empathy to journalism. Her strength lies in ground reporting and research-driven narratives that connect with the heart of the audience. Whether covering social issues, human-interest features, or breaking news, she combines factual depth with a human touch—making every story not just informative.

    LinkedIn
  • Pratima Pareek, Editor and Co-founder of AI FrontPage

    Pratima O Pareek is an Editor and Co-Founder of AI FrontPage. A gold medalist in Mass Communication and Journalism, she's worked across national and international newsrooms, bringing sharp editorial instincts and a commitment to clarity. She believes in cutting through the noise to deliver stories that actually matter.
    Off the clock, she watches offbeat cinema, follows tennis, and explores new places like a traveler, not a tourist.

    LinkedIn

Related Posts

LATEST NEWS