Entergy Approved to Build 3 Natural Gas Plants for Meta's AI Data Center

Entergy has received approval from Louisiana's public utility regulatory body to construct three new natural gas power plants. The primary goal of this initiative is to supply electricity to Meta's largest data center, which is located in a rural area of Louisiana. This data center spans 400 million square feet (approximately 370,000 square meters) and is designed to support Meta's most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models. At full capacity, the data center is projected to consume up to 5 gigawatts of electricity annually.

The urgency of this project was underscored by Entergy's warning that delays in approval could prompt Meta to relocate its data center to a competing state. In response, the Louisiana Public Service Commission expedited the approval process to ensure the project's timely completion. The escalating energy demands of AI are driving significant changes in the U.S. power grid, necessitating the development of new infrastructure to support energy-intensive data centers. This surge in demand has led to a sustained increase in electricity costs.

While Entergy's Louisiana subsidiary CEO has stated that Meta will bear the costs associated with its energy projects, consumer advocacy groups have raised concerns. They argue that the construction of these natural gas power plants will not only drive up electricity prices but also pose risks to public health and the environment. The Alliance for Affordable Energy's executive director has criticized the regulatory body for prioritizing the interests of tech giants and Entergy's profits over the concerns of consumers, who will ultimately bear the burden of higher electricity bills and potential impacts on water resources.

Entergy is also planning to build new transmission lines to supply power to the data center and has proposed the purchase of up to 1.5 gigawatts of solar energy facilities to complement the natural gas power plants. This dual approach aims to balance the need for reliable energy with environmental considerations, although the overall impact on the local community and environment remains a contentious issue.