Massive computing hub announced for Louisiana mirrors what Premier Smith says Alberta hopes to attract

By Medicine Hat News on December 6, 2024.

Computing giant Meta will build a US$10-billion computing hub in Louisiana and vows to offset carbon produced at three huge new gas plants required to power the facility with investments in renewable energy.

The announcement comes one day after Premier Danielle Smith promoted a provincial government priority of closing deals with firms looking to build data processing centres in the province faster if they plan to bring on power projects to help meet the massive demand.

In Louisiana, regional utility provider Entergy said Thursday it will build three combined-cycle combustion turbines with a combined capacity of 2,260 megawatts to power the 4-million square-foot Meta facility that will sit on 1,400 acres in the state’s northeast.

Entergy states the new plants will be able to utilize a 30 per cent hydrogen mix in natural gas fuel and could be upgraded to full hydrogen use and incorporate carbon capture technology.

Meta will partner on CCS projects at another power plant as well as 1,500 megawatts of new solar and storage resources.

The utility company expects to employ up to 5,000 construction workers on related generation and transmission projects and add 44 full-time operational positions going forward.

Meta, which operates Facebook, is expected to qualify for a new state tax abatement incentive program and the state’s Quality Jobs program.