Trending Now - Meta Invests in Seven Gas Plants to Support Major Data Center

WHO:

Phillip May, president and CEO of Entergy Louisiana, stated, “This agreement reflects what’s possible when strong partners align around long-term growth and value.”

Rachel Peterson, Vice President, Data Centers at Meta, commented, “Our Richland Parish data center serves as a symbol of the ambition and scale of next-generation AI infrastructure.”

Meta Platforms, Entergy Louisiana, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

WHAT:

Meta will fund a total of 10 gas-fired power plants, with a combined capacity of 7.5 gigawatts, enough to power more than 5 million homes.

The 10 power plants are estimated to cost nearly $11 billion.

Meta's total development costs for the Hyperion AI campus are estimated at up to $27 billion.

Meta will also help fund up to 2,500 megawatts of new renewable resources, including battery storage.

Entergy Louisiana announced an additional agreement with Meta expected to deliver approximately $2 billion in customer savings over 20 years, in addition to the previously announced $650 million.

The combined agreements between Meta and Entergy Louisiana are expected to deliver approximately $2.65 billion in total customer benefits.

Entergy's stock rose 7% on March 27th, 2026, reaching a market cap of about $50 billion.

Meta will fund a total of 10 gas-fired power plants, with a combined capacity of 7.5 gigawatts, enough to power more than 5 million homes.

The 10 power plants represent a more than 30% increase to Louisiana’s entire grid capacity.

Meta's total development costs for the Hyperion AI campus are estimated at up to $27 billion.

Meta initially announced a $10 billion investment for a 2,250-acre data center campus in December 2024 and has since acquired an additional 1,400 acres.

The 10 power plants are estimated to cost nearly $11 billion.

Entergy's stock rose 7% on March 27th, 2026, reaching a market cap of about $50 billion.

Entergy Louisiana announced an additional agreement with Meta expected to deliver approximately $2 billion in customer savings over 20 years.

The combined agreements between Meta and Entergy Louisiana are expected to deliver approximately $2.65 billion in total customer benefits.

Meta will contribute $120 million, including matching funds, for Entergy’s The Power to Care program and $140 million for energy efficiency initiatives for vulnerable customers.

Meta will fund seven new natural gas power plants.

The gas plants will have a combined power output of 5,200 megawatts.

Meta will also fund 240 miles of transmission lines operating at 500 kilovolts.

The company will help fund up to 2,500 megawatts of new renewable resources.

Meta agreed to a memorandum of understanding for future nuclear power development.

The data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana, will cover 4 million square feet and is currently under construction.

WHERE:

Richland Parish, Louisiana

WHEN:

The first-quarter 2026 earnings call is scheduled for April 29th, 2026.

The deal was reported on March 27th, 2026.

A December 2025 poll indicated that 60 percent of Americans support more AI regulation.

WHY:

The project aims to strengthen grid reliability, support long-term infrastructure investments, and deliver measurable value to customers and communities across Louisiana.

Entergy emphasizes that Meta is paying for the projects, which will save Louisiana taxpayers billions of dollars over several years.

The project aims to strengthen grid reliability, support long-term infrastructure investments, and deliver measurable value to customers and communities across Louisiana.

The energy deal follows a pledge by tech companies, including Meta, to offset local residents’ rising electricity costs from AI data centers.

The shift in tone comes in response to growing anger from local communities over the rise of power-hungry, environmentally damaging AI data centers.

HOW:

The Louisiana Public Service Commission will need to approve the projects, with the previous three power plants having received regulatory authorization in 2025.

Entergy Louisiana plans a comprehensive buildout of generation, transmission, and storage infrastructure, paid for by Meta, including seven new natural gas-fueled combined-cycle power plants and battery energy storage across three locations.

Meta will pay the full cost of the new generation resources and electricity needed to satisfy their new energy demands.

(UPDATED March 28, 2026 17:04 UTC)

Meta has announced plans to fund ten gas-fired power plants with a total capacity of 7.5 gigawatts, enough to power over five million homes, at an estimated cost of nearly $11 billion. In addition, Meta will support up to 2,500 megawatts of new renewable resources, including battery storage, while also partnering with Entergy Louisiana to deliver approximately $2.65 billion in customer benefits over the next 20 years. The Louisiana Public Service Commission will need to approve these projects, following the regulatory authorization of three previous power plants in 2025.

(UPDATED March 28, 2026 11:03 UTC)

Meta has announced plans to fund ten gas-fired power plants in Louisiana, which will have a combined capacity of 7.5 gigawatts, enough to power over five million homes and representing a more than 30% increase to the state's entire grid capacity. The estimated cost for these plants is nearly $11 billion, and Entergy's stock rose 7% on March 27, reaching a market cap of about $50 billion, as the company emphasizes that Meta is covering the costs, saving taxpayers billions. The Louisiana Public Service Commission will need to approve the projects, following the regulatory authorization of three previous power plants in 2025.

(UPDATED March 28, 2026 01:23 UTC)

Entergy Louisiana has announced a significant agreement with Meta, expected to deliver approximately $2 billion in customer savings over the next 20 years, with the combined agreements projected to provide around $2.65 billion in total benefits. Phillip May, president and CEO of Entergy Louisiana, emphasized the potential for long-term growth and value through this partnership, while Rachel Peterson, Vice President of Data Centers at Meta, highlighted the Richland Parish data center as a key part of next-generation AI infrastructure. As part of this initiative, Meta will contribute $120 million for Entergy’s The Power to Care program and $140 million for energy efficiency efforts aimed at supporting vulnerable customers across Louisiana.

(UPDATED March 27, 2026 21:10 UTC)

Meta has announced plans to fund seven new natural gas power plants in Richland Parish, Louisiana, with a combined power output of 5,200 megawatts, along with 240 miles of high-voltage transmission lines. The company will also invest in up to 2,500 megawatts of new renewable resources and has signed a memorandum of understanding for future nuclear power development, all in response to rising electricity costs for local residents due to AI data centers. This energy deal comes after a December 2025 poll showed that 60 percent of Americans support more regulation of AI, reflecting growing concerns from communities about the environmental impact of these facilities.