Tech Giants Are Betting Big on Renewables — and Meta Just Made a Massive Move

While advanced nuclear power has been stealing headlines as the “next big thing” in energy, tech companies like Meta are quietly doubling down on renewable energy. In a bold move, Meta just inked a deal with Spanish renewable developer Zelestra for 595 megawatts of solar power in Texas. This comes just two weeks after signing another solar agreement with utility giant Engie. Combined, these deals represent a nearly 5% increase in Meta’s renewable energy portfolio, which now exceeds 12 gigawatts.

Why the rush? Meta’s AI ambitions are driving a data center building boom. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has made it clear: AI is the future, and Meta is all-in. The company is racing to make its open-source Llama 4 model a serious competitor to closed-source rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic. But here’s the kicker: AI requires massive compute power, and that means data centers — lots of them.

“Data centers are a strategic advantage for Meta,” Zuckerberg said during a recent earnings call. “We’re investing $60 billion this year alone to build the infrastructure needed to support our AI ambitions.”

Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO

The Energy Crunch: Why Solar is Winning the Race

Meta isn’t alone in its energy dilemma. Tech giants are scrambling to secure enough power to fuel their data centers, and the clock is ticking. Experts predict that by 2027, half of all new AI data centers could be underpowered. That’s a terrifying prospect for companies betting their futures on AI.

Nuclear power? It’s a long-term play. Advanced reactors are still years away from commercial viability. Natural gas? Faster, but still not fast enough. Enter renewables. A solar farm can be up and running in as few as 18 months, and because the technology is modular, it can start delivering power even before the last panel is installed. That speed is a game-changer.

• 595 MW Solar Deal: Meta’s latest agreement with Zelestra adds enough solar capacity to power over 100,000 homes.
• 200 MW Solar Purchase: Earlier this month, Meta bought 200 megawatts of solar from Engie, set to come online later this year.
• Renewable Dominance: Meta now has over 12 gigawatts of renewable energy under contract, solidifying its position as a leader in clean energy adoption.

The Bigger Picture: Tech’s Renewable Energy Arms Race

Meta isn’t the only tech giant going all-in on renewables. Microsoft is deploying $9 billion in renewable energy projects with Acadia Infrastructure Capital, while Google is anchoring a $20 billion renewable fund with Intersect Power and TPG Rise. The message is clear: renewables are the backbone of the tech industry’s energy strategy.

But here’s the real takeaway: while nuclear and natural gas may have their place in the future energy mix, renewables like solar and wind are delivering results right now. For companies like Meta, that speed is non-negotiable.

“Renewables are the only energy source that can keep up with the explosive growth of AI and data centers. Solar, in particular, is a critical piece of the puzzle.”

Energy Industry Expert

What’s Next for Meta and the Tech Industry?

Meta’s aggressive renewable energy strategy is a clear signal: the company is serious about its AI ambitions and the infrastructure needed to support them. But the stakes are high. With data center power demands skyrocketing, the race to secure energy is only going to intensify.

One thing’s for sure: Meta’s latest solar deals are more than just a PR move. They’re a strategic necessity in a world where energy is the new currency. And as the tech industry continues to grow, renewables will be at the heart of its power play.