Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is set to invest $10 billion to establish an advanced AI data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana. This facility is expected to be the largest data center in the world and Meta’s most extensive infrastructure project, as reported by Reuters.
The data center will specialize in processing massive amounts of information for digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) operations. Meta has stated that the energy required for the center will be fully powered by renewable sources, with the company collaborating with energy provider Entergy to meet these needs.
Additionally, Meta has announced its plans to contribute to the generation of new nuclear power to meet its AI and environmental goals. By the early 2030s, the company aims to add 1 to 4 gigawatts of nuclear power production capacity.
With AI operations significantly increasing energy demands, companies such as Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft are exploring nuclear energy as a solution. However, challenges remain in scaling up nuclear energy, including aging reactors, limited uranium supply, and local opposition.
Meta’s Louisiana data center is scheduled for completion by 2030, with construction set to begin in December 2024.
