Meta Accelerates Solar Energy Push Amid AI Expansion

San Francisco, CA –In a significant step toward sustaining its ambitious artificial intelligence initiatives, Meta Platforms Inc. has secured nearly 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar power through recent agreements in the United States. These deals, announced this week, underscore the tech giant’s commitment to matching its soaring energy demands with clean sources, as data centers powering AI workloads continue to proliferate.

The purchases bring Meta’s total solar acquisitions for 2025 to over 3 GW, contributing to a global renewable portfolio exceeding 10 GW.

This aligns with the company’s goal of achieving net zero emissions across its operations by 2030, while addressing the exponential growth in electricity consumption driven by AI and metaverse technologies.

Texas Solar Mega-Project Leads the Charge

A cornerstone of the recent announcements is a 600-megawatt (MW) expansion with ENGIE North America for the Swenson Ranch Solar project in Stonewall County, Texas. Valued at approximately $900 million, this will be ENGIE’s largest solar farm to date and boosts the partners’ combined renewable capacity in the U.S. to over 1.3 GW across multiple projects.

Meta will purchase 100% of the project’s output, which is expected to come online in 2027. The initiative is projected to create over 350 construction jobs and generate more than $158 million in tax revenue for local communities over its lifetime.

Urvi Parekh, Meta’s head of global energy, emphasized the deal’s role in supporting reliable clean energy for data centers: “This expanded partnership helps us match 100% of our electricity use with renewables.”

ENGIE’s CEO and Chief Renewables Officer for North America, Dave Carroll, highlighted solar’s cost-competitiveness and rapid deployment as key to meeting grid demands.

Aerial view of a large solar farm with rows of solar panels reflecting sunlight, surrounded by a clear sky and distant mountains. — *Source: ENGIE North America*

Louisiana Agreements Target AI Data Center Needs

Complementing the Texas deal, Meta inked two environmental attribute purchase agreements (EAPAs) with Treaty Oak Clean Energy, a Macquarie Asset Management portfolio company, for a combined 385 MW from solar projects in Louisiana.

The 185 MW Beekman Solar project in Morehouse Parish and the 200 MW Hollis Creek Solar project in Sabine Parish are both slated for commercial operation in the third quarter of 2027.

These will feed energy into the local grid under the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and Southwest Power Pool (SPP), with Meta claiming the renewable energy credits to offset emissions.

The agreements directly support Meta’s AI data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana, announced last year. “These projects bring new clean energy to the grid and enhance local resilience,” said Parekh.

Economically, the developments are expected to generate over $100 million in state and local tax revenue and create around 300 jobs during peak construction.

Utah Project Adds to Momentum

In a separate but recent milestone, the 685 MW Faraday Solar project in Utah County, Utah, commenced operations on September 30, 2025, under a 20-year power purchase agreement with PacifiCorp’s Rocky Mountain Power.

Developed by Excelsior Energy Capital in partnership with initial developers Parasol and Clenera, the project powers Meta’s local operations through a green energy tariff, reinforcing the company’s clean grid ambitions.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for November 5, 2025.

Broader Context: AI’s Energy Hunger and Sustainability Challenges

These solar investments come as AI data centers are forecasted to double U.S. power demand to 1,000 terawatt-hours annually by 2030, according to Wood Mackenzie, potentially hindering global net zero targets.

Meta’s strategy emphasizes additionality—adding new renewable capacity to the grid—through long-term PPAs.

However, critics note that environmental attribute certificates (EACs) like those in the Louisiana deals may not fully incentivize new builds, potentially masking true carbon footprints amid falling solar costs.

Additionally, while Meta touts renewables, it is simultaneously funding natural gas infrastructure, including three new 2,262 MW gas plants in Louisiana to power the Richland data center, covering 50% of costs.

This hybrid approach reflects the challenges of intermittency in solar and the need for reliable baseload power, but it has drawn environmental scrutiny.

Meta’s efforts position it as a leader in corporate renewable procurement, influencing peers like Google and Amazon.

With over 15 GW of clean energy contracted globally, the company continues to diversify, including recent nuclear agreements to ensure grid stability.