Power, water and secrecy: What Meta’s new data center will demand
Meta's planned AI data center in Richland Parish could use up to 8.4 billion gallons of groundwater annually, although the company says its expected needs are closer to 1 billion gallons. Entergy plans about $20 billion in power plants, substations, batteries and transmission infrastructure, raising concerns about secrecy, environmental impacts and whether customers could ultimately bear some costs.
Meta is developing a roughly $50 billion AI data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana. The company registered six groundwater wells with a combined maximum capacity of 8.4 billion gallons a year, while a Meta spokesperson said actual cooling demand is expected to be closer to 1 billion gallons annually. Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, are also challenging plans for new gas-fired power plants that would require substantial cooling water.
Entergy has agreed to build 10 power plants and related grid infrastructure, with total planned investment estimated at $20 billion. The project is expected to consume about 4,500 megawatts, more than four times New Orleans' peak summer usage and nearly twice the usage of Entergy Louisiana's other customers combined. Entergy CEO Philip May has said Meta will cover grid maintenance and upgrade costs, but the company has not ruled out recovering some prudently incurred costs from customers. Louisiana officials and regulators have expedited approval of major power projects, while key information about the development and related agreements remains confidential.