Meta and ENGIE North America just announced a shiny new deal to soak up 600 megawatts of West Texas sunlight at the upcoming Swenson Ranch Solar project southeast of Lubbock. The $900 million project will power Meta’s endless stream of selfies, cat videos, and targeted ads — while employing around 350 workers and promising $158 million in tax revenue over its lifetime.
Swenson will be the biggest feather in ENGIE’s renewable cap, supposedly proving that solar energy isn’t just for hippies and Californians anymore. Meta says this partnership helps it “match 100% of its electricity use with renewable energy,” which is corporate-speak for “we can run all our servers guilt-free while your electric bill still hits $400 in August.”
It’s all part of Meta’s larger effort to look green while burning through enough power to light up Stonewall County, twice over. ENGIE’s press release says they’re “excited to continue the expansion” of their relationship with Meta — which, translated from PR-ese, means: “Zuckerberg writes really big checks.”
So, Lubbock may not have working roads, functioning public transit, or trees — but hey, at least the metaverse will have solar power.
