Meta is building a large data centre north of Edmonton, Alberta, and plans to connect it to the province’s electrical grid before the adjacent Greenlight Electricity Centre power plant is operational. According to reporting across outlets, Meta expects the data centre to come online within the next two to three years. A spokesperson says the company has rights to connect to Alberta’s grid ahead of the Greenlight plant’s start-up, which is scheduled for the second half of 2030. During the interim, Meta can rely on electricity supplied through the grid and may draw power from other suppliers if needed before the dedicated power facility begins operating. The project is described as a major investment, with one source citing a cost of more than $13 billion for the data centre. The phased timing allows data centre construction and commissioning to proceed without waiting for the full readiness of the nearby natural gas-fired generation project. The plan reflects an approach where grid access and electricity supply arrangements are secured in advance of the power plant’s commissioning timeline.