Meta Signed Solar Agreement for Texas Project
The technology giant will support a new 144-megawatt solar farm in Gonzales County to help power its infrastructure.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Data Centers
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Meta has finalized a power purchase agreement for the Starling Solar project in Gonzales County, Texas. This move secures clean energy capacity to support the company's expanding data center network as electricity demand continues to climb across the state.
Why it matters
Meta requires a significant increase in energy supply to fuel the data centers necessary for artificial intelligence development. The developer indicated the solar facility would not have moved forward without this corporate investment.
The Starling Solar project will generate 144 megawatts of power, with construction expected to create 400 to 450 jobs. Over its lifespan, the site is projected to yield $27 million in tax revenue and $26.3 million in landowner payments.
The players
Meta
Meta is a technology company that manages social media platforms and invests heavily in artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Greg Abbott
Greg Abbott is the current Governor of Texas who has initiated oversight into the state's energy-intensive data center sector.
The details
Meta is leveraging this agreement to offset electricity usage for its operations, which include three data center locations within Texas. While the company pursues this renewable project, it is simultaneously planning a 366-megawatt gas-fired plant in El Paso to meet its power needs.
Timeline
2023: Texas grid demand hit a record level.
April 2026: Meta reached 28 total data center sites nationwide.
August 2026: Gov. Greg Abbott ordered an audit of Texas data centers.
September 2026: Texas electricity demand exceeded the 2023 record.
2027: Starling Solar is scheduled to start operations.
The Tech Race
This investment highlights the ongoing expansion of massive data centers needed to sustain the industry-wide push into artificial intelligence. Meta is balancing this growth by integrating new renewable sources while also relying on legacy power methods to ensure uptime.
The arrival of the Starling Solar project will provide tax revenue for Gonzales County and create hundreds of temporary construction jobs. Residents may see continued development as tech companies compete for access to the Texas power grid alongside existing energy demand.
The takeaway
Large-scale energy projects in Texas are increasingly driven by the infrastructure demands of the artificial intelligence boom. This trend forces a complex balancing act between state-level grid oversight and the rapid capacity requirements of major technology firms.
Further reading
Learn more about the infrastructure behind Data Centers in our latest reporting.
Source note: This article includes information reported by InsideClimate News.
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