Meta’s largest planned data center, set for Louisiana, will be powered through a deal with Entergy that includes the construction of three natural gas plants. State regulators approved the utility’s proposal Tuesday evening.

The plants are scheduled to begin operations in 2028 and 2029, supplying 2.25 gigawatts of electricity. Once fully scaled, the data center’s energy needs may climb to 5 gigawatts.

The initiative has drawn opposition. An industry coalition — comprising major corporations like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Dow Chemical — has warned that the project’s solar component could unfairly benefit Meta. According to the *Louisiana Illuminator*, the plan calls for 1.5 gigawatts of solar development across the state, while other companies continue to face barriers accessing renewable energy.

Louisiana regulators also expressed caution. With the Entergy contract limited to 15 years and natural gas plants typically running for decades, officials fear ratepayers could be left covering costs after Meta’s agreement expires.

Experts echoed these concerns. The Union of Concerned Scientists said mega-projects are prone to budget overruns, and Louisiana customers are expected to finance both overruns and a \$550 million transmission line required for the facility.

While Meta continues to expand renewable purchases — most recently a 100-megawatt deal — reliance on gas-fired power undermines its climate commitments. Achieving the company’s 2030 net-zero goal will likely require heavy investment in carbon offset projects.