Summary:
- Meta is teaming up with Silicon Ranch to build a 100-megawatt solar farm in South Carolina to supply energy for its data center.
- Silicon Ranch will invest $100 million in the project, with Meta obtaining all the renewable energy credits. There’s no need for local community or utility investments.
- The solar facility is set to launch in 2027, coinciding with the opening of Meta’s new data center in Aiken.
Details:
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is a major purchaser of renewable energy. Since 2020, the company has achieved net-zero emissions for its direct energy use by relying on renewable sources to power its data centers.
This latest collaboration represents the 18th partnership between Meta and Silicon Ranch. Together, they have over 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy capacity and around $2.5 billion in investments across several states, including Georgia and Tennessee.
Silicon Ranch emphasizes that a diverse energy approach is essential for economic growth. They believe this project will boost American manufacturing and create jobs in rural areas.
Additionally, the Central Electric Power Cooperative, a group that services 19 electric distribution cooperatives in South Carolina, will also take part in purchasing energy from this solar farm for local consumption.
This announcement follows Meta’s decision to secure all energy produced by a large solar project in Texas, further underscoring their commitment to renewable energy initiatives across the country.