From TechCrunch via MSN, August 21:
When Meta selected a site in Louisiana for its largest data center to date, it signed a deal with Entergy to power the site with three massive natural gas power plants. Yesterday evening, a state regulator approved Entergy’s plans.
The power plants are expected to come online in 2028 and 2029, and at full strength, they’ll generate 2.25 gigawatts of electricity. Ultimately, the AI data center could draw 5 gigawatts of power as its expanded.
The power plant project has been controversial among Louisianans.
One industry-affiliated group is concerned that Meta and Entergy will receive special treatment for a second part of the data center project, which involves building 1.5 gigawatts of solar power across the state, the Louisiana Illuminator reports. The group was formed by large companies, including Dow Chemical, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and others after they struggled to procure renewable power for their own operations.
The other issue is that Meta’s deal with Entergy lasts for 15 years, and at least one Louisiana Public Service Commission member expressed concern that ratepayers will take on the cost after the contract expires. Natural gas power plants typically operate for 30 years or more.
Plus, power projects of this size tend to run over budget, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, and ratepayers are often left with the bill. Ratepayers will also pay for a $550 million transmission line running to the data center, the organization said....
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These hyperscalers have a lot of money, there is no reason for other electricity users to subsidize the buildout of these projects and their infrastructure.
