In northeastern Louisiana’s rural Richland Parish, a massive data center complex is taking shape. The $10 billion project, dubbed “Hyperion,” will be Meta’s largest-ever data center and boasts 4 million square feet of server space. While the tech giant claims it aims to revolutionize artificial intelligence (AI), local residents are raising concerns about the energy demands of such a massive infrastructure.
Meta chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has framed the project as a pursuit of “superintelligence,” with plans to harness up to 5 gigawatts of computing capacity. However, critics argue that this could lead to increased power consumption, straining the already fragile Louisiana electric grid.
The project’s energy needs are set to be met through new gas-fired turbines built by Entergy, which has received a green light from state regulators despite opposition from ratepayers and climate advocates. The deal is seen as a precedent for future deals between utilities and Big Tech companies, with experts warning of potential risks, including overbuilding or shortages.
Meta has committed to building 1.5 gigawatts of solar and battery power in Louisiana, but environmental groups remain skeptical about the impact on farmers’ water consumption and air pollution. The nonpartisan think tank Energy Innovation suggests that hyperscalers prioritize renewable energy and battery storage developments, with some new gas-fired power used as backup.
As data centers spread across rural locales nationwide, experts predict the PJM Interconnection region will become a hotspot for development due to competitive power markets and high data-transfer speeds. However, concerns about energy efficiency, grid resilience, and environmental impact remain pressing issues.
Source: https://fortune.com/2025/08/24/meta-data-center-rural-louisiana-framework-ai-power-boom