Meta has signed a new power purchase agreement with renewable energy developer Zelestra, committing to offtake from the 180-MWDC/140-MWAC Palmera Solar Plant in Freestone County, Texas. The deal extends a fast-growing partnership that now spans approximately 1.4 GWDC of solar capacity across eight U.S. projects, all slated to support the company's surging data center electricity demand.
The Palmera project joins a portfolio built to power Meta's expanding cloud and AI infrastructure. With each installation expected to reach commercial operation, the cumulative capacity will supply hundreds of megawatts of renewable electricity to the grid, backing the firm's carbon reduction goals.
Zelestra will develop, construct, and operate the Palmera facility. Additional details on investment costs, construction timelines, and job creation were not disclosed in the announcements.
The agreements come as Meta and other hyperscalers face mounting pressure to secure clean energy for new data centers. Texas's competitive renewable market and grid interconnection rules remain a draw, though some developers cite permitting delays and transmission constraints as potential bottlenecks.
Critics question whether voluntary PPAs alone can offset the broader emissions impact of AI-driven energy consumption growth. Without mandatory renewable portfolio standards or carbon pricing, corporate procurement may not keep pace with demand expansion in the near term.