Data centers have expanded to such an extent that their energy needs now parallel the consumption of entire U.S. states. A notable instance is Meta’s Hyperion AI data center, which is projected to require as much electricity as the state of South Dakota upon completion.
Recently, Meta disclosed plans to finance seven additional natural gas power plants, supplementing the three already in development, to support the $27 billion investment in the data center. Collectively, the ten power plants in Louisiana will produce approximately 7.5 gigawatts of electricity, which exceeds the total capacity available in the Mount Rushmore State.
Like many technology firms, Meta has emphasized its environmental efforts over time. The company routinely releases sustainability reports and highlights its renewable energy procurement, including a 20-year commitment to purchase power from a nuclear facility.
The Hyperion data center site in Louisiana will serve as a critical test of Meta's sustainability pledges.
Natural gas has often been referred to as a "bridge fuel," suggesting that it can serve as a transitional energy source as renewables, battery technology, and nuclear energy continue to develop. This rationale may underpin Meta's internal decision-making process.
However, the justification for natural gas as a bridge fuel is growing weaker. The costs associated with renewable energy technologies and batteries have significantly decreased, while the expenses for gas turbines have risen dramatically. Meta has been a frontrunner in acquiring solar energy, battery storage, and nuclear power in recent years, making its substantial investment in natural gas puzzling.
TechCrunch reached out to Meta for a statement, but the company did not respond to multiple inquiries.
The large-scale turbines planned for Louisiana are estimated to emit 12.4 million metric tons of CO2 annually, based on calculations by TechCrunch that utilize data from the Department of Energy. This amount represents an increase of 50% over Meta's total carbon footprint reported for 2024, the most recent year for which data is accessible.
Moreover, this figure likely underrepresents the environmental consequences, as it does not account for methane leaks within the natural gas supply chain. Methane, which constitutes the primary component of natural gas, has a warming potential that is 84 times greater than that of carbon dioxide. Even minimal leakage rates, such as 0.2% along the supply chain, could render natural gas’ overall climatic impact more detrimental than that of coal.
Share this story