Meta is sinking $10B into rural Louisiana to build its wildest AI aspirations
15 days ago
- #AI
- #Data Centers
- #Energy
- Meta is building its largest data center, named 'Hyperion,' in rural Richland Parish, Louisiana, costing $10 billion and covering over 4 million square feet.
- The project will require massive energy, equivalent to powering 4 million homes, and is part of Meta's push into AI and superintelligence.
- Local utility Entergy will build three new gas-fired turbines (2.3 gigawatts) to power the data center, sparking concerns over costs and climate impact.
- The deal sets a precedent for future Big Tech and utility collaborations, with Meta covering power costs for 15 years and investing in solar energy.
- Critics worry about overbuilding, grid strain, and environmental impact, while supporters highlight economic benefits for the impoverished region.
- AI-driven data center expansion is accelerating nationwide, with tech giants investing hundreds of billions, straining power grids and resources.
- Louisiana's legislature controversially classified natural gas as 'green energy,' easing Meta's environmental commitments.
- Future data center growth may focus on regions like the PJM Interconnection and the Deep South, driven by affordability and connectivity.