Meta’s plan to build its first data centre in Canada has encountered immediate pushback from local residents in Alberta.
Dozens of protesters gathered in Morinville, a town in Sturgeon County north of Edmonton, to voice opposition to the tech giant’s proposed facility.
The demonstration highlights growing community concerns over the environmental and infrastructural impact of large-scale data centres in rural areas.
The project is set to be powered by surplus energy from Alberta’s grid until a new natural gas-fired power plant comes online in 2030, according to Premier Danielle Smith.
This interim energy strategy aims to support the centre’s operations while long-term infrastructure is developed.
The reliance on natural gas for future power generation has become a focal point for critics worried about carbon emissions and grid stability.