Louisiana PSC approves Entergy plan to power Meta AI data center with three gas plants

Louisiana’s Public Service Commission has approved Entergy Louisiana’s plan to build three combined-cycle gas turbine generation facilities to power Meta’s new AI data center in Richland Parish. Two plants will be built locally, while a third will be constructed at the Waterford site in St. Charles Parish. The facilities are expected to be operational in 2028 and 2029. The commission also authorized new transmission infrastructure and expedited procurement of up to 1,500 megawatts of solar energy resources.

Data center scope and energy requirements

Meta plans to invest $10 billion in what will become its largest data center worldwide, spanning roughly 70 football fields. Entergy estimates the turbines will generate enough capacity to meet the facility’s energy needs. Industry projections show rising power demand from artificial intelligence projects is driving similar infrastructure growth across the United States.

Also read: Vantage Data Centers plans $25 billion AI campus in Texas

Public debate and commissioner voting

The PSC vote was 4–1, with Commissioner Davante Lewis dissenting over unresolved uncertainties and concerns about rushing the decision ahead of the scheduled October timeline. Public meetings highlighted debate about transparency and the potential cost burden on ratepayers, with some commissioners arguing the project was too important to delay further.

Job creation and local benefits

Officials project significant economic benefits from the development, including permanent jobs, construction employment, and broader growth in northeast Louisiana. The scale of the investment is expected to bring both short-term opportunities and long-term infrastructure advantages to the region.

Broader context and energy implications

Meta’s facility is projected to consume nearly three times the annual electricity used by New Orleans, representing a major addition to Entergy’s load. Critics warn that the 30-year lifespan of the gas plants could outlast Meta’s 15-year power contract, leaving long-term risks for ratepayers. Nationally, similar utility-technology partnerships are reshaping the energy sector as artificial intelligence drives unprecedented demand for electricity.