Meta Doubles Down on Solar for Data Center Growth
Tech giants may be eyeing advanced nuclear power for long-term energy stability, but renewable energy remains the fastest and most practical solution for their growing infrastructure needs. Meta, a leader in AI and cloud computing, continues to add massive solar capacity to power its expanding data centers.
Meta’s New Solar Deals
Meta recently signed a 595-megawatt solar deal with Spanish developer Zelestra in Texas. This comes just two weeks after securing an additional 200 megawatts from Engie, boosting its renewable energy portfolio to over 12 gigawatts.
This investment is critical as Meta scales its AI ambitions, particularly its Llama 4 model, which aims to compete with OpenAI and Anthropic. AI development requires immense computing power, and securing reliable energy sources is essential for future growth.
The Energy Challenge for AI Data Centers
Meta plans to spend $60 billion on data centers and infrastructure in 2025, viewing it as a strategic advantage in AI. However, power shortages loom—experts predict that half of all new AI data centers may be underpowered by 2027.
While nuclear power is a promising long-term solution, it won’t come online fast enough. Meta is seeking 1 to 4 gigawatts of nuclear capacity for the early 2030s, but these reactors take years to build and remain unproven at scale.
Why Renewables Are the Immediate Answer
Unlike nuclear or natural gas, renewable energy can be deployed quickly:
- Solar farms can be operational in just 18 months, with portions generating power even before full completion.
- Tech companies are investing billions in renewables—Microsoft has backed a $9 billion renewable fund, and Google is anchoring a $20 billion clean energy project.
What's Next
Meta’s continued investment in solar energy highlights the immediacy of AI’s power demands. While nuclear remains a long-term bet, renewables are the present solution, offering speed, scalability, and sustainability to fuel the next wave of AI innovation.
