Jakarta, INTI - Meta Platforms is taking a major step to secure energy supply for its expanding data center operations by funding the construction of seven new gas-fired power plants.
According to Bloomberg, this move comes amid a surge in electricity demand driven by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The partnership with Entergy Corp will support the Hyperion data center currently under development in Louisiana, United States.
“Entergy’s proposal for new power generation is one of several key factors needed to advance this project,” said Rachel Peterson, Vice President of Data Center Operations at Meta, in a written statement.
The project is projected to become Meta’s largest facility, requiring electricity on a massive scale. The seven new plants are expected to add approximately 5.2 gigawatts (GW) of power.
Combined with three previously approved plants, the total electricity capacity allocated for the project will exceed 7 GW, reflecting the enormous energy demands of modern AI infrastructure.
In addition to funding the power plants, Meta will finance supporting infrastructure, including a 240-mile (386.2 km) transmission network connecting Louisiana to Arkansas, energy storage systems, and nuclear power capacity upgrades.
Corporate Environmental Commitment in Focus
The initiative comes amid growing attention to the tech industry’s energy consumption, particularly the rising electricity needs of AI data centers. U.S. authorities, including former President Donald Trump, have emphasized that tech companies should cover their own energy costs to avoid burdening local electricity customers.
Entergy stated that the agreement is structured so that Meta will bear all electricity service costs. The utility company estimates the project could save more than US$2 billion for customers over 20 years.
However, reliance on natural gas raises questions about environmental commitments. While Meta maintains its climate targets, the increased use of fossil fuels highlights the challenge of balancing massive energy needs with sustainability ambitions.
As part of the agreement, Meta has also committed to developing up to 2.5 GW of renewable energy and exploring the future use of nuclear power.
Conclusion
Meta’s investment in seven new gas-fired power plants underscores the scale of energy required to support modern AI data centers. While balancing massive electricity needs with environmental commitments remains a challenge, the project also includes plans for renewable energy and future nuclear power, reflecting Meta’s effort to combine operational growth with sustainability goals.
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