Meta has signed another major solar energy agreement, acquiring 650 megawatts (MW) of clean power capacity across Kansas and Texas to support the rapid expansion of its AI-driven data centers, the company confirmed Thursday.
The deal was made with AES, a U.S.-based utility and power generation company currently developing the solar-only projects. According to AES, 400 MW will be deployed in Texas and 250 MW in Kansas, with construction expected to begin well in advance of their commercial operations under typical power purchase agreements, which run 15 to 20 years.
This marks Meta’s fourth solar investment in Texas this year, adding to previously announced projects of 595 MW, 505 MW, and two separate 200 MW farms. The latest addition brings Meta’s total renewable energy portfolio to over 12 gigawatts, a massive infrastructure underpinning the company’s growing commitment to powering AI operations sustainably.
Texas continues to lead the U.S. in solar development, driven by abundant sunshine, streamlined permitting processes, and quick grid connections, making it ideal for hyperscale infrastructure. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the state ranked first in new solar capacity additions in both 2023 and 2024.
AES CEO Andrés Gluski highlighted solar energy’s “fast time-to-power and low-cost electricity” as central to its appeal for companies like Meta, which require scalable, reliable, and increasingly sustainable energy sources to power energy-hungry AI data centers.
Unlike traditional power plants, solar farms can be phased in, enabling electricity to begin flowing to customers before full project completion—a crucial factor for tech companies operating at the cutting edge of AI development.
Meta’s continued clean energy push not only strengthens its climate credentials but also aligns with a broader industry trend: powering exponential AI growth with renewables in order to reduce emissions and long-term energy costs.
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