Gas power plants approved for Meta’s $10B data center, and not everyone is happy

When Meta selected a site for it in Louisiana The largest data center till todayIt has signed an agreement with Enterjee to power the site with three huge natural gas power plants. Yesterday evening, a state controller approved Enterjee’s plan.

The power plants are expected to come online in 2028 and 2029 and they will produce 2.25 gigawatt electricity as full power. In the end, the AI ​​Data Center can draw a 5 gigawatt power as it expands.

The power plant project among the Louisians has been controversial.

An industrial-authorized group is concerned that the Meta and Entergie Data Center will receive special treatment for the second part of the project, which involves the construction of 1.5 GHz solar power across the state, the Louisiana Illuminator ReportThe The team was formed by large companies, including Daw Chemical, Chevron, Acnmobil and others Struggle for renewable energy gathering For their own operation.

Another problem is that Meta’s deal with Enterjee lasted for 15 years and at least one Louisiana Public Service Commission has expressed concern that the harassers will accept this expenditure after the expiry of the contract. Natural gas power plants usually work for 30 years or more.

Also, the power projects of this size continue through the budget, Accordingly The bill is often kept near the union of the concerned scientists and the rates are often kept. The company said the ratepiers will also pay for the $ 550 million transmission line on the data center.

Meta contains a renewable energy buying spry with a This week has announced the purchase of 100-megawattThe However, these natural gas generators will make the company’s 2030 net zero promise significantly more difficult by locking carbon dioxide emissions over the next few decades. To offset the pollution on its balance sheet, buy credit from the meta Carbon removal projectThe