Alberta Premier Danielle Smith offered reassurances about the massive Meta data centre being built in Sturgeon County during a radio show on July 11, 2026. The facility, a one-gigawatt, nearly 270,000-square-metre data centre powered by a natural gas-fired plant, will support Meta's artificial intelligence operations.
Economic and environmental impact
Smith emphasized the project's economic benefits, including job creation and investment in the region. The data centre, which will be among the largest in Canada, is expected to boost local employment and position Alberta as a hub for AI technology. However, environmental groups have raised concerns about the use of natural gas to power the facility, citing emissions and climate impact.
Government assurances
During the radio show, Smith addressed these concerns by noting that the province is committed to balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility. She highlighted Alberta's carbon capture and storage initiatives and the potential for future integration of renewable energy sources. According to Smith, the project includes measures to mitigate emissions, though specific details were not disclosed.
The premier also mentioned ongoing discussions with Meta about long-term sustainability goals. The data centre is part of Meta's broader investment in AI infrastructure, reflecting the growing demand for computing power in the tech industry.
