Meta data center power costs could raise Louisiana residential bills

Entergy Louisiana has applied to the Louisiana Public Service Commission to purchase an aging natural‑gas plant in Texas to meet the power demand created by Meta’s Hyperion data center expansion in Richland Parish. Regulators estimate the move could add roughly $8 to $13 per month to the average residential electric bill for customers on the Entergy grid.

Meta has agreed to fully fund the three original turbines built for the data center, but the proposed purchase of the Cottonwood plant would not be covered by that guarantee, raising concerns that the additional capacity could be passed on to ratepayers. The utility also argues that the heightened electricity consumption from the data center will push wholesale market prices higher, affecting all customers. A fast‑track approval rule adopted last year lowers the protection for future large‑load customers, meaning future data‑center projects may not receive the same full‑cost guarantee.

Commissioners are expected to vote on the purchase later this fall, and the outcome will determine whether Louisiana households see the projected bill increase.