Meta's Alberta data centre expected online before its neighbouring gas plant is ready
Meta's planned $13-billion-plus data centre near Edmonton could begin operating within two to three years, but the natural gas power plant meant to serve it won't be ready for four years.
The update
- Meta's data centre north of Edmonton is expected to come online in two to three years, while the adjacent natural gas plant won't be operational for four years, creating a supply gap.
Why this matters
A multi-year mismatch between when a massive data centre starts drawing power and when its dedicated gas plant is ready raises questions about how the facility will be powered in the interim. At over $13 billion, the project is a significant economic investment for the Edmonton region, but the energy sequencing gap could put pressure on Alberta's existing grid. With natural gas currently priced at $2.94 per gigajoule and oil at $71.57 per barrel, the broader energy landscape in Alberta remains a key factor in how large industrial customers like Meta plan and procure power.
Confirmed details
Meta Platforms expects its Alberta data centre to be online within two to three years, though no exact date has been given.
The neighbouring natural gas-fired power plant north of Edmonton will not be operating for four years.
The data centre project is valued at over $13 billion.
What happens next
How Meta intends to source power for the data centre during the gap before the gas plant comes online has not been disclosed. Regulatory and grid-impact details to watch as the project advances.