Meta has entered into a significant solar agreement to acquire 650 megawatts of energy from projects being developed by AES in Kansas and Texas. Of this total, 400 megawatts will be generated in Texas, while 250 megawatts will come from Kansas. The deal is part of Meta’s initiative to power its expanding data centers, which support its growing artificial intelligence operations. The company currently boasts over 12 gigawatts of renewable power capacity in its portfolio.
AES typically prepares for new power purchase agreements approximately two to three years prior to the commencement of commercial operations. According to spokesperson Katie Lau, these agreements generally have a duration of 15 to 20 years. This marks the fourth solar contract that Meta has announced in 2023, all of which are based in Texas. The previous agreements include capacities of 595 megawatts, 505 megawatts, and two projects at 200 megawatts each.
Texas has seen a surge in solar development, leading the U.S. in newly installed solar capacity for 2023 and 2024, as reported by the Solar Energy Industries Association. The state’s advantages include abundant sunlight, efficient permitting processes, and quick grid connections, which can expedite the construction of solar farms. As a result, new solar installations can be completed in months instead of years. Additionally, solar energy is one of the most cost-effective forms of generating capacity, even prior to factoring in government subsidies.
Data centers are particularly equipped to utilize solar energy in phases, allowing them to start using electricity before the completion of full project development. AES CEO Andrés Gluski noted that the rapid deployment and affordability of solar energy are key factors drawing large tech companies like Meta to these renewable energy solutions.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/22/meta-adds-another-650-mw-of-solar-power-to-its-ai-push/