Meta plans largest-ever data center in Louisiana amid sustainability concerns
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced plans to construct its largest data center to date in Richland Parish, Louisiana, a $10 billion project spanning 4 million square feet. While hailed as a landmark investment for the state, the facility has sparked controversy over its reliance on fossil fuels to power its extensive AI computing operations.
A historic investment but with a price attached
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry described the data center as a "game changer," calling it one of the largest private investments in the state’s history. Construction is set to begin this month and continue through 2030. However, instead of leveraging nuclear energy—a technology Meta recently endorsed—the facility will rely on three combined-cycle combustion turbine (CCCT) plants built by power company Entergy.
These natural gas-powered plants, two of which will be located on-site, will collectively produce 2,262 megawatts of energy. CCCT plants are marketed as more efficient than traditional natural gas plants, using waste heat to generate additional power. Despite this, they remain fossil fuel dependent, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Meta insists the project aligns with its commitment to match its operations with 100% clean energy. In collaboration with Entergy, the company plans to add at least 1,500 megawatts of solar energy to the grid and explore future renewable options, including nuclear energy.
“Building with sustainability in mind is important to us,” Meta said in a statement.
Critics, however, argue that the reliance on natural gas undermines these claims. The Southern Renewable Energy Association (SREA) has raised concerns about the emissions from the CCCT plants, as well as the feasibility of Entergy's promise to co-fire the turbines with up to 30% hydrogen.
Whit Cox, SREA’s regulatory director, described the project’s sustainability measures as insufficient. "Burning natural gas remains a significant source of greenhouse gases, and the unproven nature of hydrogen co-firing raises questions about its effectiveness,” he said.
Hydrogen co-firing, which involves mixing hydrogen with natural gas to reduce emissions, is still in its infancy in the U.S. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, only a handful of power plants have tested this technology. Even if implemented, experts estimate that a 30% hydrogen mix would reduce emissions by only 11%, while potentially increasing harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
Additionally, questions remain about the source of the hydrogen. Both “grey” and “blue” hydrogen—produced using natural gas—generate greenhouse gases during production. Without guarantees of using green hydrogen, which is made from renewable energy, the environmental benefits may be minimal.
Broader implications
Meta’s decision to move forward with natural gas-powered facilities while exploring nuclear and renewable options highlights the challenges of balancing immediate operational needs with long-term sustainability goals.
As construction begins, the Richland Parish data center will serve as a critical test of how tech giants can expand infrastructure while addressing the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions. Whether Meta’s promises will materialize remains to be seen.
