Jakarta, INTI – Mark Zuckerberg has taken another bold step in the global race to advance artificial intelligence (AI). The CEO of Meta has officially announced the construction of a massive data center called Hyperion, which is said to be nearly the size of Manhattan in New York approximately 59 square kilometers. This ambitious project is Meta's effort to compete with AI leaders like OpenAI and Google DeepMind.
Hyperion: The New Powerhouse for Meta's Superintelligence
In a post on his personal Threads account on Monday (July 15, 2025), Zuckerberg revealed that Hyperion is designed to power Meta's Superintelligence Lab. The data center is projected to reach a computing capacity of up to 5 gigawatts (GW), making it one of the largest AI infrastructure projects ever built.
Meta spokesperson Ashley Gabriel confirmed that the facility will likely be located in Richland Parish, Louisiana, the same area previously selected for Meta’s $10 billion data center project. Initially, Hyperion will launch with 2 GW of capacity by 2030, which will gradually be scaled up to its full potential.
Prometheus: A New 1 GW Super Cluster
In addition to Hyperion, Meta is also building another AI data center a super cluster named Prometheus with 1 GW of computing power, scheduled to go online in 2026. This facility will be located in New Albany, Ohio, and will complement Meta’s AI infrastructure, enhancing the company’s position in the rapidly evolving AI race.
With both Prometheus and Hyperion, Meta is expected to become one of the first tech companies to operate large-scale AI data centers with massive computing capabilities.
Competing with OpenAI and Attracting AI Talent
These data center projects not only demonstrate Meta’s technological ambitions but also serve as a strategic move to compete with AI giants like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Anthropic. With greater computing power, Meta aims to accelerate AI model training and deployment, while also attracting top AI talent globally.
However, such large-scale construction efforts come with significant concerns particularly regarding energy consumption and environmental impact.
Massive Electricity and Water Consumption
The Hyperion and Prometheus projects are expected to draw tremendous amounts of electricity enough to power millions of homes in the U.S.. Additionally, the cooling systems required by these data centers raise concerns about local water usage.
For instance, Meta’s previous data center project in Newton County, Georgia reportedly caused disruptions to clean water supplies, with some homes experiencing dry taps, according to The New York Times. Similarly, other AI companies like CoreWeave have been associated with negative impacts on nearby communities.
A Bloomberg report projects that the expansion of AI data centers could double the electricity demand of a city near Dallas, Texas.
Government Backing for AI Ambitions
Despite growing concerns, these massive data center projects continue to receive full support from the U.S. federal government. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has called for America to lead the world in "frontier energy-intensive technologies," especially artificial intelligence.
According to Wright, AI has the potential to transform electricity into “the most valuable output”: intelligence. As a result, the government is committed to accelerating energy production from coal, nuclear, geothermal, and natural gas sources, ensuring the country has sufficient power to meet the needs of future AI developments.
Experts estimate that AI data centers could consume up to 20 percent of the U.S.’s total electricity by 2030, a dramatic increase from just 2.5 percent in 2022.
Conclusion:
The construction of the Hyperion and Prometheus data centers reflects how AI has become the central battleground for global tech giants. On one hand, the projects represent technological progress and innovation. On the other, they raise new challenges in energy use, environmental impact, and the ethics of large-scale infrastructure. As global demand for AI continues to surge, the world will be watching how companies like Meta build the “digital brains” of the future.
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