Meta’s $27 Billion AI Gamble: Funding Seven Power Stations to Fuel Its Louisiana “Data Citadel”

Meta is funding a major energy buildout to power a 4-million-square-foot AI data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana, including seven natural gas plants totaling 5,200 MW, 240 miles of 500 kV transmission lines, battery storage across three regions, a pledge for 2,500 MW of renewables, and exploratory agreements for nuclear. The report argues these moves reflect a race to meet immediate AI power demands, highlights public and political backlash and skepticism about voluntary industry pledges, and questions whether renewables can address near-term needs compared to rapid deployment of natural gas.