Inside the $10B Meta-Entergy Deal That's Turning Northeast Louisiana Into A Tech Powerhouse
A rare alliance between Big Tech and Big Utility is putting the South on the data center map—and raising big questions about energy, equity, and infrastructure.
NEW ORLEANS — The future of energy isn’t coming—it’s here. In Louisiana, that future is being driven by billions in investment, as Meta and Entergy unite to power the largest data center in the state’s history—and with it, the next chapter of the AI revolution.
The project took center stage Monday at the opening of the Edison Electric Institute’s annual conference in New Orleans, positioning northeast Louisiana as a rising hub for data infrastructure and innovation. As global tech giants like Meta turn to regions like Richland Parish to power the future of artificial intelligence, a new set of questions is coming into view—about scale, speed, and how to grow with an eye to both innovation and impact.
That complexity was explored openly at EEI 2025, where Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry joined Entergy CEO Drew Marsh in a wide-ranging conversation about what it will take to build the infrastructure of tomorrow. Landry acknowledged that attracting billion-dollar projects is only part of the job. With billions in private capital on the line—and sweeping public investment likely needed to support it—Landry didn’t mince words.
“This keeps me up at night,” Landry told the crowd of utility executives and energy leaders, referring to the need for sweeping infrastructure updates to support Meta’s plans. “A recalculation of that regulatory environment is necessary.”
The Meta facility, slated for Richland Parish, will be the company’s largest to date—spanning more than 2,250 acres and expected to create over 500 direct jobs, with thousands more in construction and indirect roles.
Entergy Louisiana has pledged to power the facility with 100% clean and renewable energy, including plans to bring 1,500 megawatts of additional renewable capacity online. Meeting that demand will require significant investment: a $3.2 billion proposal for new natural gas-fired plants and infrastructure upgrades, now under review by the Louisiana Public Service Commission.
It’s an ambitious plan—and one that has sparked discussion beyond the industry. Environmental groups and consumer advocates have raised questions about emissions, resource usage, and how the financial responsibility is shared if expectations shift.
Still, the project’s backers say it marks a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine Louisiana’s economy. “This is a game changer for northeast Louisiana,” said PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell, whose district includes the proposed site. “It positions the region—and the state—as a real contender in the AI economy.”
Speaking from the EEI stage, Landry struck a similar tone. He praised Meta’s decision to invest in the state and emphasized the potential for high-paying jobs and rural revitalization. But he also didn’t hold back on the realities of public accountability. “That’s the problem we have to solve,” he said. “How do we meet the demand without laying it on the backs of the consumer?”
The deal is also a test of leadership at scale—for all three players. For Meta, it’s a chance to show how the information age can be built on cleaner, more responsible infrastructure. For Entergy, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate how a utility can move quickly, innovate boldly, and partner with global tech in meaningful ways. And for Louisiana, it’s a high-profile moment to lead on energy policy in a way that attracts investment, builds public trust, and delivers meaningfully for the communities that power its economy.
The information age doesn’t work without power—and power doesn’t work without partnership.
As Louisiana eyes exponential growth in both energy demand and digital infrastructure, leaders on stage emphasized the same point: building smarter, growing together, and keeping affordability front and center will define the road ahead.
What Meta and Entergy’s Clean Power Commitment Could Mean for Richland Parish—and for Louisiana Residents Statewide
The ripple effects of Meta and Entergy’s clean energy partnership could shift Louisiana’s economic and environmental trajectory. It’s about what happens when a global tech company and a regional utility align—and how a shared commitment to clean power might help reposition rural communities from being overlooked to becoming green investment zones.
At least 500 new jobs are coming to Richland Parish. Whether you work in construction, tech, operations, or support services, this project is expected to create long-term roles—and thousands more jobs during the multi-year buildout. That means more opportunity for residents across northeast Louisiana.
This puts rural Louisiana on the map for clean energy investment. Major sustainability investments of this scale are rare in rural Louisiana. Meta’s decision to build in Richland Parish marks a shift—positioning rural communities not just as support zones, but as viable hosts for high-profile, clean energy–driven infrastructure.
This partnership could help speed up the clean energy transition statewide.
To meet its 100% clean energy target, Entergy plans to match that usage with additional renewable capacity—most likely through new solar projects. The scale of this partnership could help accelerate the growth of clean energy resources across Louisiana.