Hajra Naz
Meta is moving forward with plans for its largest data center yet, located in Louisiana. To power the massive facility, the company struck a deal with utility provider Entergy, which includes building three large natural gas power plants. On Tuesday evening, state regulators gave final approval for the project.
The new gas plants are scheduled to begin operations in 2028 and 2029. Together, they will generate up to 2.25 gigawatts of electricity—enough to power millions of homes. But Meta’s data center, once fully expanded, could eventually require as much as 5 gigawatts of power, highlighting just how energy-hungry artificial intelligence infrastructure has become.
The project has stirred debate across Louisiana. One of the main concerns comes from a coalition of companies—including Chevron, Dow Chemical, and ExxonMobil—who argue that Meta is getting preferential treatment from Entergy. Their frustration stems from a second phase of the deal that includes 1.5 gigawatts of new solar development across the state, which they say was out of reach for their own corporate operations.
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Regulators are also worried about what happens when the 15-year contract between Meta and Entergy runs out. Natural gas plants usually operate for 30 years or more, meaning Louisiana ratepayers could be left carrying the financial burden long after Meta’s agreement ends.
The Union of Concerned Scientists has also warned that mega projects like this often run over budget, pushing extra costs onto local customers. In fact, the deal already includes a $550 million transmission line to the site, which will be funded by ratepayers.
Environmental advocates point out another issue: Meta’s long-term climate promises. The company has pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2030, but locking in fossil fuel generation for decades threatens that goal.
Although Meta continues to invest in renewable projects—including a 100-megawatt purchase just this week—the Louisiana gas plants will tie its energy mix to carbon-heavy sources for years. To balance the books, Meta will likely have to rely more heavily on carbon offsets and removal credits.
For Louisiana, the deal represents billions in new investment and the chance to position itself as a hub for AI-driven infrastructure. For Meta, it raises a bigger question—whether the race to scale artificial intelligence will come at the expense of the company’s own climate commitments.
