Meta secures nearly 1GW of solar to power AI data centers as industry energy demand climbs

Meta has signed agreements for almost 1 gigawatt of solar power to support its expanding AI infrastructure and data centers. The move comes amid broader industry trends: data center electricity consumption in the U.S. has more than doubled since 2018 and now accounts for roughly 4% of national generation, with projections that AI growth could push that figure much higher by the end of the decade.

Alongside Meta’s procurement, a new survey indicates rising consumer concern that AI’s growing power needs could raise utility bills. These developments underscore the energy implications of large‑scale AI deployments and the growing role of renewable contracts in tech companies’ infrastructure strategies.

Key points

• Meta’s solar deals: Nearly 1GW of new solar agreements aimed at offsetting the energy footprint of AI workloads.
• Data center growth: U.S. data center electricity use has doubled since 2018 and currently represents about 4% of generation, with some scenarios projecting up to 12% by 2028 as AI demand rises.
• Consumer concerns: Surveys show a majority of consumers fear the AI boom could increase electricity costs, prompting attention to renewables and energy planning.

Why this matters

AI model training and inference are energy‑intensive, especially at hyperscale. As leading tech firms scale up compute to support advanced models, the associated power demand forces companies to secure long‑term renewable energy contracts to manage costs, regulatory scrutiny and reputational risk. For policymakers and utilities, the trend raises questions about grid capacity, demand management and equitable pricing.

What to watch next

• How other major AI operators respond — more direct renewable purchases, on‑site generation, or investment in grid upgrades.
• Regulatory and utility responses to concentrated AI-related demand, including incentives for flexible consumption or new tariffs.
• Whether tech firms publish transparency reports on energy sourcing and the carbon intensity of AI workloads.

For further reading on these developments, see recent reporting on industry energy trends and Meta’s procurement moves: TechCrunch — Rising energy prices and AI data centers.

Discussion: Do you think AI’s growth justifies aggressive renewable purchases by tech firms — or should the focus be on more efficient models and demand‑side controls? What solutions would you prioritize?