Meta join line in AI data centre rush with $10bn investment

This facility, spanning 4 million square feet, is set to become the company's largest data centre globally, designed to handle extensive data workloads essential for AI and digital infrastructure.

Opening opportunities

The project is expected to generate significant economic benefits for the region, including 500 operational jobs and 5,000 temporary construction positions. Additionally, Meta plans to invest $200 million in local infrastructure improvements to support the development.

Meeting energy demands

To meet the substantial energy demands of the new data centre, Meta is collaborating with Entergy, a utility company serving parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Entergy intends to construct three natural gas power plants in Louisiana, providing over 2,200 megawatts of power for the data centre over a 15-year period, pending approval from the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

In line with its sustainability objectives, Meta aims to integrate 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy, primarily from solar and wind sources, to offset the data centre's carbon footprint.

Following the nuclear tech herd

Recognising the growing energy requirements of AI computing, Meta is also exploring nuclear energy solutions. The company has issued a request for proposals to identify nuclear energy developers capable of providing 1 to 4 gigawatts of new nuclear generation capacity in the U.S., with operations commencing in the early 2030s.

This initiative aligns with a broader trend among technology companies, such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, which are turning to nuclear power to support their expanding AI workloads. However, challenges persist, including an ageing fleet of reactors, regulatory hurdles, potential uranium fuel supply issues, and local opposition.

Construction of the Louisiana data centre is scheduled to begin in December 2024 and continue through 2030.