Meta is building a massive power plant in Louisiana that will rival South Dakota’s electricity demand. The $27 billion data center will be powered by 10 natural gas power plants, generating around 7.5 gigawatts of electricity – more than the entire state of Mount Rushmore. This move has raised concerns about Meta’s climate credentials, as natural gas is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.
Despite its previous claims of being committed to sustainability, Meta has failed to address methane leaks in its reports. Methane warms the planet 84 times more than carbon dioxide and can make natural gas power worse than coal. The company may need to rely on carbon removal credits to offset its emissions, but a transparent accounting of methane leaks is essential.
This decision to focus on natural gas power plants contradicts Meta’s recent investments in solar, batteries, and nuclear energy. As the cost of renewables continues to decline, it’s puzzling why Meta would opt for natural gas. The company has yet to respond to questions about this move.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/01/metas-natural-gas-binge-could-power-south-dakota