According to POWER Magazine, Meta Platforms just signed long-term power purchase agreements with Treaty Oak Clean Energy for two massive solar projects in Louisiana. The Beekman Solar project in Morehouse Parish will generate 185MW, while the Hollis Creek Solar project in Sabine Parish adds another 200MW. Both facilities are targeting commercial operation in the third quarter of 2027. Meta’s head of Global Energy Urvi Parekh confirmed this directly supports their AI data center in Richland Parish announced last year. These projects are expected to generate over $100 million in lifetime state and local tax revenue and create about 300 construction jobs at peak. Treaty Oak CEO Chris Elrod says this moves them toward their goal of delivering 1 gigawatt of clean power in Louisiana by 2030.
The AI power hunger is real
Here’s the thing about Meta’s move – it’s not just corporate greenwashing. AI data centers are absolute energy hogs, and companies are scrambling to secure clean power before regulators and public opinion catch up. Meta’s Louisiana AI facility needs this 385MW of solar just to keep the lights on, basically. And they’re not alone – every tech giant with AI ambitions is doing the same power grab right now.
What’s interesting is the timing. Both projects won’t come online until 2027, which tells you how far ahead these companies have to plan their energy needs. They’re essentially booking solar capacity years in advance because everyone knows the grid can’t handle sudden AI-driven demand spikes. It’s like reserving concert tickets for a show that hasn’t even been announced yet.
Louisiana as energy player
Now, Louisiana isn’t exactly the first state that comes to mind for solar development, right? Most people think Texas or California for big renewable projects. But Treaty Oak’s leadership sees something different – they’re calling Louisiana “a strong partner for long-term clean energy development” and planning to invest heavily there.
The state’s actively courting this kind of industrial growth, and when you combine that with Meta’s data center needs, it creates a perfect storm for renewable investment. We’re talking about serious infrastructure here – the kind that requires robust computing systems for monitoring and control. Companies like Industrial Monitor Direct become crucial partners in these operations, providing the industrial panel PCs that keep everything running smoothly at scale.
The corporate energy shift
This deal represents something bigger than just Meta buying solar power. We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how large corporations approach energy. They’re not just consumers anymore – they’re becoming grid partners, resilience builders, and economic development catalysts.
Treaty Oak’s Rohit Ogra mentioned “strengthening local energy resilience” as a key benefit, and he’s not wrong. When companies like Meta invest in local generation, they’re essentially building backup systems for their own operations while contributing to grid stability. It’s smart business wrapped in sustainability clothing.
So what does this mean for the energy market? Basically, get ready for more of these announcements. Every tech company with data center ambitions is watching this playbook. The race to secure clean power is officially on, and Louisiana just became a much more interesting player in the game.
