Meta plans to contribute up to $1 million annually to Entergy’s low-income support initiative, 'The Power to Care,' further emphasizing its commitment to community engagement.

However, doubts have been raised regarding Meta and Entergy's commitment to sustainability, as they have not fully evaluated renewable energy alternatives beyond natural gas.

The Public Service Commission is expediting the review process for the new power plants, targeting completion by late October 2025.

Entergy operates two nuclear plants in Louisiana and has previously partnered with other tech giants, including Amazon, on energy projects.

Meta Platforms is constructing a massive datacenter in Richland Parish, Louisiana, covering 4 million square feet to support AI workloads, with an expected completion date in 2030.

Governor Jeff Landry hailed the project as a 'game-changing' investment for Louisiana's tech sector, projecting the creation of approximately 1,500 jobs and significant economic growth for the region.

The facility will utilize electricity sourced from renewable energy, with Meta committing to 100% clean and renewable energy through its Geaux Zero program.

To meet the energy demands of the data center, Entergy plans to build three natural gas power plants generating 2,262 megawatts, raising concerns about future energy costs for residents.

Meta is also exploring nuclear energy options, aiming to add 1 to 4 gigawatts of new nuclear generation capacity in the U.S. by the early 2030s to support its AI initiatives.

Additionally, Meta plans to supplement the datacenter's energy needs with at least 1,500 megawatts of new solar generation and storage, although details remain vague.

Local leaders have expressed optimism about the project, viewing it as beneficial for Richland Parish, which faces economic challenges.

This investment aligns with a broader trend among tech companies to expand data and compute capacities for AI applications, driven by increasing demand.