Meta's $10 Billion Data Center Sparks Power Plant Development in El Paso

Meta Platforms is set to construct a $10 billion data center in Northeast El Paso, prompting El Paso Electric to build a new $500 million power plant to supply the facility. This plant, consisting of 813 small gas-fired generators, will initially be funded by Meta for one to five years before costs are shifted to local ratepayers. The data center is expected to consume 400,000 gallons of water daily, raising concerns about its environmental impact. In response to community feedback, Meta has committed to job training grants and water conservation projects. The construction is scheduled to begin on October 13, 2025, with significant local employment opportunities anticipated.

Key Details: • Construction of the data center begins on October 13, 2025. • Meta will initially cover the power plant costs for 1-5 years before passing them to customers. • The data center will consume approximately 400,000 gallons of water daily. • Meta plans to hire 300 full-time employees and create a $500,000 grant program for job training. • Community meetings are ongoing until April 8 to discuss the impact of data centers.