Meta opens new AI data center in Kuna, hopes to become "water positive" by 2030
Meta has opened its new AI data center in Kuna, Idaho, representing a $1.2 billion investment. The facility features a closed-loop water cooling system designed to help Meta achieve its goal of being water positive by 2030. The data center is expected to become Idaho Power's largest customer, and its opening comes amidst general public opposition to data centers nationwide due to environmental concerns.
Meta has officially opened its new AI data center in Kuna, Idaho, a facility now fully operational and serving Meta's global platforms. The project represents a significant $1.2 billion capital investment in the state, with construction having commenced in 2022. According to a Meta representative, the 750,000 square foot facility is one of the company's latest AI-optimized data centers, designed to advance its mission of connecting people and technology.
Meta has also made substantial community investments in Kuna, supporting local schools and the Boys & Girls Club, consistent with its philosophy of being a steward in communities where it has a physical presence. This commitment is part of a broader $1 billion "Futures for Everyone Fund" for data center communities across the U.S.
The opening comes amidst ongoing national unpopularity of data centers, with surveys from Gallup and Fox News indicating that 70-71% of Americans oppose them, often citing environmental concerns. Addressing this, Meta highlights a first-of-its-kind, closed-loop water cooling system at the Kuna facility. This technology aims to make Meta "water positive" by 2030, meaning it will restore more water than it consumes to local watersheds. The system recirculates water, reducing external water necessity to non-data-related uses for most of the year.
Regarding electricity, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission anticipates the Kuna data center will instantly become Idaho Power's single largest customer. Meta officials emphasized that the massive facility was designed with efficiency to ensure long-term technological relevance.