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When Meta chose a location in Louisiana for its biggest data center yet, it inked a deal with Entergy to fuel the facility with three massive natural gas power plants. And guess what? A state regulator just gave the thumbs up to Entergy’s plans.
### The Controversy
The power plants are set to go live in 2028 and 2029, pumping out a whopping 2.25 gigawatts of electricity at full blast. But here’s the kicker – the AI data center could end up slurping a total of 5 gigawatts of power once it’s all decked out.
### Mixed Reactions
This power plant project has been a hot topic among Louisianans. One particular group, made up of big industry players like Dow Chemical, Chevron, and ExxonMobil, is worried that Meta and Entergy might get special treatment for the solar power portion of the project. Yep, they’re building 1.5 gigawatts of solar power across the state as well.
### Concerns Ahead
But hold up! Meta’s deal with Entergy spans 15 years, and some Louisiana Public Service Commission members fear that once the contract wraps up, ratepayers could be left footing the bill. Natural gas power plants typically chug along for 30+ years, so there’s some uncertainty in the air.
And let’s not forget the Union of Concerned Scientists’ warning that projects this size often blow past budget estimates, leaving ratepayers with the tab. On top of that, ratepayers are set to fork out for a $550 million transmission line leading to the data center.
### The Catch
While Meta has been going gaga over renewable energy buys, snagging a 100-megawatt deal just this week, these natural gas generators are throwing a spanner in the works. Meeting the company’s 2030 net zero goal is gonna be a tough nut to crack now, with carbon dioxide emissions locked in for ages to come. To balance out the pollution, Meta might have to shell out for credits from carbon removal projects.
So, it’s safe to say that this power play is a double-edged sword for Meta and the folks in Louisiana. Let’s see how this power saga unfolds.
