News Summary
The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved Entergy’s plan to construct three gas power plants to support Meta’s upcoming data center in Richland Parish. The project, which will significantly boost Entergy’s generation capacity, is expected to provide electricity to the world’s largest Meta data center. While the approval marks a significant step for energy infrastructure in Louisiana, it has faced criticism for not involving a competitive bidding process and concerns about potential costs to consumers.
Louisiana – The Louisiana Public Service Commission has approved Entergy’s plan to construct three new gas power plants to support Meta’s upcoming data center in Richland Parish, marking a significant step in energy infrastructure for the state. The commission voted 4 to 1 in favor of the project, which is expected to provide critical energy capacity to what will be the largest Meta data center in the world.
The decision came two months earlier than initially scheduled, reflecting the urgency of facilitating Meta’s operations. Entergy plans to build three gas-powered generators that will produce a total of 2,200 megawatts of electricity specifically for the data center, which is forecasted to consume more electricity annually than the entire city of New Orleans.
Phillip May, the President and CEO of Entergy Louisiana, highlighted that the investment in these new generators will not only power a state-of-the-art data center but also create significant economic opportunities in Louisiana. Meta is set to cover its share of the related infrastructure costs, ensuring that existing customers will not bear these expenses.
Despite the support from the majority of the commission, Commissioner Davante Lewis cast the only dissenting vote. He expressed concerns regarding the necessity for such a project, particularly emphasizing the lack of a competitive bidding process. His position raised questions about whether it is justified to construct three new generators for a single customer, indicating uncertainties surrounding the scale of energy demand generated by Meta’s facility.
The project represents a notable increase in Entergy’s generation capacity, enhancing it by approximately 20% across Louisiana. This growth comes in a context where advocacy groups and local citizens have voiced their opposition, raising alarms about potential impacts on consumer costs and the rushed nature of the approval process.
The chosen site for Meta’s data center is a sprawling 2,250 acres known as Franklin Farms, located 30 miles northeast of Monroe, Louisiana. The project is projected to create approximately 6,500 construction jobs during its development phase and an estimated 500 permanent jobs once the facility becomes operational.
As Entergy moves forward with its plans, it has asserted that Meta will not receive priority over other existing customers in terms of energy supply. This assertion aims to alleviate concerns from stakeholders about exclusive advantages being granted to Meta at the expense of other users.
In the lead-up to the decision, Entergy participated in negotiations with various stakeholders. However, several groups remain opposed, arguing that the vote should have been delayed to allow for more thorough discussion and consideration of alternatives.
The commission’s approval allows Entergy to proceed with advancing its plans to fulfill the substantial energy needs directly associated with Meta’s data center, which is poised to be a pivotal asset in the state’s economy. As communities and consumers continue to navigate the implications of this substantial energy project, the decision marks a noteworthy moment in the intersection of technology and energy production in Louisiana.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- KNOE: Entergy Gains Regulatory Approval for Massive Meta Power Project
- NOLA: Meta and Entergy Louisiana Electricity News
- KPLC: Entergy LA Gets Green Light for Plant to Power Meta’s AI Data Center
- Wikipedia: Power Station
- WWLTV: Louisiana Officials Report on Entergy’s Meta AI Plan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Data Center
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
