Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has taken another big step toward its clean energy goals through solar. The company announced a deal to buy 650 megawatts (MW) of solar power from AES, an American energy company. This new power purchase agreement (PPA) supports Meta’s fast-growing data centers in Texas and Kansas.
As Meta continues to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) services, it also increases its demand for energy. This latest solar deal highlights how the company plans to meet that demand with renewable energy.
A Big Push for Solar in the U.S.
Meta’s new agreement includes two solar-only projects developed by AES. These projects will supply 400 MW of energy from Texas and 250 MW from Kansas. The electricity will support Meta’s data centers, which need reliable and low-cost energy to run around the clock.
AES expects the projects to start operations in the next 2 to 3 years. The contracts will last 15 to 20 years, providing long-term clean energy. This type of agreement helps Meta meet its climate goals and also gives energy developers the confidence to build more renewable projects.
AES CEO Andrés Gluski explained why this partnership makes sense, noting:
“By providing energy solutions that offer fast time-to-power and low-cost electricity, we continue to be the partner of choice for companies, like Meta, at the forefront of artificial intelligence innovation.”
Urvi Parekh, Global Head of Energy, Meta, also remarked:
“We are thrilled to work with AES to bring forward these two solar energy projects. These solutions support our goal for 100% clean and renewable energy and will add new generation to the grid in these markets.”
Texas, in particular, has become a top spot for solar power. The state leads the U.S. in new solar capacity added in 2023 and 2024, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Developers like Texas because of its sunny climate, fast permitting process, and easy connection to the power grid.
Powering Meta’s AI and Data Expansion
Meta has been growing its renewable energy portfolio quickly. The company already claims more than 12 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy capacity. This includes solar and wind power projects across the United States.
Earlier in 2025, Meta signed several other deals in Texas:
- A 595 MW agreement with Zelestra
- Two 200 MW deals with Engie North America
- A 260 MW deal for Engie’s Sypert Branch solar project
Altogether, these efforts show how serious Meta is about running its operations with clean energy. As AI technology expands, companies like Meta must build more data centers — and each one needs a large and steady supply of electricity.
Data centers use a lot of power, often 10 to 50 times more energy per square foot than regular office buildings. By powering them with solar, Meta avoids using fossil fuels that release carbon into the atmosphere. These steps help Meta stay on track toward its climate goal: to reach net-zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2030.
A Long-Term Commitment to Clean Energy and Net Zero
As per its latest sustainability report, in 2023, Meta’s net emissions equaled 7.4 million metric tons of CO2. Key commitments include:
- Reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 42% by 2031, compared to a 2021 baseline, and ensuring that maximum suppliers adopt science-aligned GHG reduction targets by 2026.
- Keep Scope 3 emissions at or below 2021 levels by 2031.
- Since 2020, Meta has successfully maintained net-zero emissions in its operations, and it is on track to achieve net-zero across its entire value chain by 2030.
Meta’s clean energy journey began years ago. The company reached 100% renewable energy for its operations in 2020. Since then, it has kept investing in wind and solar to match its energy use and reduce its carbon footprint.
By the end of 2025, Meta expects to help add 9.8 GW of renewable energy to U.S. power grids. That’s enough electricity to power over 2 million homes. These projects support Meta’s needs as well as strengthen local energy systems and help nearby communities.
Long-term contracts like the 650 MW deal with AES are important for energy developers, too. They provide financial security and encourage the construction of more clean energy. This creates jobs, boosts local economies, and reduces pollution.
What It Means for the Energy and Tech Industries
Meta’s big solar push shows a wider trend in the tech world. More companies, especially those running large data centers, are investing in clean energy. These companies are often called “hyperscalers” because of their massive scale and energy use.
Why is this happening?
- AI growth: Artificial intelligence tools require large amounts of computing power, which means more electricity.
- Climate goals: Many companies have pledged to cut emissions and use renewable energy.
- Cost savings: Solar and wind power are now some of the cheapest forms of new energy.
According to BloombergNEF, corporate renewable energy purchases hit a record 46 GW globally in 2023. Tech companies like Meta, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft led the way.
Solar power is especially attractive because it’s quick to build and affordable. In sunny places like Texas, developers can build solar farms in a few months. The electricity is also cheap, which helps companies lower their energy bills.
In Meta’s case, the ability to phase in power — meaning that parts of the solar farm can start delivering energy before the full project is finished — helps meet growing energy demand faster.
AES pointed out that “fast time-to-power” is one of the main reasons hyperscalers are turning to solar. This makes solar a good match for tech companies that need power right away.
Looking Ahead: Clean Energy and AI Together
Meta’s recent solar deals show how the tech and energy worlds are coming together to tackle climate change. As AI continues to grow, so will the need for clean, reliable power.
Meta’s long-term investments in solar energy will help meet its goals and support a cleaner grid for everyone. By buying power through PPAs, Meta also helps speed up the energy transition.
At the same time, these deals send a message to the market: Big tech is serious about clean energy. This encourages more investment in solar and wind, helping the U.S. move closer to its climate targets. The future of technology is deeply tied to energy. And for Meta, that future is increasingly powered by the sun.
