Meta expands Louisiana AI data center to $50 billion

Meta Platforms announced that its Hyperion data‑center project in Richland Parish, Louisiana, has been enlarged from an originally planned $10 billion to more than $50 billion. The expansion will raise the facility’s compute capacity to 5 gigawatts, making it one of the world’s largest AI‑focused data centres. Construction, which began in December 2024, is expected to finish around 2036. The build will employ roughly 7,500 construction workers and, when fully operational, sustain about 1,000 permanent jobs.

Meta will fund over $1 billion in local infrastructure upgrades, including roads, water and wastewater systems, and has pledged $5 million to Louisiana Delta Community College for training. Increased tax revenue has already enabled teacher bonuses of up to $50,000. The company also agreed to cover the cost of ten new Entergy power plants, 240 miles of transmission lines and battery storage, asserting that the project will not increase electricity rates for other customers. Governor Jeff Landry praised the investment, noting the state has secured over $150 billion in capital projects this year.

Environmental and consumer groups have raised concerns about the massive electricity demand and its impact on local housing and utility costs, but Meta maintains the expansion will be financed entirely by the company.