Meta Pushes for Electricity Trading Amid Soaring AI Energy Demand
Meta is now seeking direct permission to trade electricity in order to ensure the rapid construction of new power plants needed for AI-driven data centers. According to a Bloomberg report, both Meta and Microsoft have applied to U.S. federal authorities for approval to buy and sell electricity. Apple has already received this authorization. TechCrunch reports the news.
Meta states that, once approved, the company will be able to commit to long-term contracts to purchase electricity from newly built power plants. At the same time, to reduce risk, it will also be able to resell excess electricity back to the grid when necessary.
Meta’s Global Head of Energy, Urvi Parekh, said power plant developers want assurance that major technology companies are also “willing to share in the risk.”
She further explained that if Meta does not take an active role in expanding electrical infrastructure, power generation will not increase at the pace required. The report notes that Meta’s Louisiana data center complex alone will require at least three new gas-fired power plants—underscoring how dramatically electricity demand has risen for AI infrastructure.
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