Data centres have grown so large that their energy consumption now meets or exceeds that of entire U.S. states. A prime example is Meta’s Hyperion AI data centre in Louisiana, which, once operational, will use as much electricity as the state of South Dakota.
Recently, Meta announced plans to establish seven additional natural gas power plants, adding to three already in development, in order to sustain its $27 billion data centre. Together, these ten plants are expected to produce around 7.5 gigawatts of power, surpassing the total energy capacity of South Dakota.
Despite its claims of commitment to sustainability, including regular sustainability reporting and investments in renewable energy, Meta’s decision to invest heavily in natural gas power raises many eyebrows. The Hyperion site represents a critical test of the company’s environmental commitments.
Natural gas has often been referred to as a “bridge fuel”—a temporary solution while transitioning to renewable sources, batteries, and nuclear energy. However, this justification is becoming less convincing over time, particularly as the costs of renewable energy and battery technologies have plummeted, whilst those for gas turbines have risen. Given Meta’s history of substantial investment in solar, battery, and nuclear energy, the pivot towards natural gas is perplexing.
Critically, the new power facilities in Louisiana are projected to emit approximately 12.4 million metric tons of CO₂ annually—50% more than Meta’s total carbon emissions in 2024, according to calculations by TechCrunch based on Department of Energy data. This figure fails to account for methane emissions from the natural gas supply chain, which can further exacerbate the climate impact.
Methane, the primary constituent of natural gas, is significantly more potent as a greenhouse gas, with an 84-times greater warming potential than CO₂ over a 20-year period. Even minor leakage rates of 0.2% can result in natural gas being more environmentally damaging than coal. Current assessments suggest actual leakage rates in the U.S. could be nearly 3%, painting a grim picture of the true climate cost of relying on natural gas.
Interestingly, Meta’s recent sustainability reports do not reference methane emissions or leaks associated with natural gas. Yet, this fuel could soon represent a major contributor to the company’s overall carbon footprint.
While Meta might adhere to its climate pledges and seek to counteract emissions through carbon offset credits, the challenge remains. The company will need to meticulously track and manage the methane emissions stemming from its new power plants, requiring a transparent and honest approach to its environmental impact moving forward.
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