Meta, the tech giant formerly known as Facebook, is taking a significant step towards sustainability with its new data center in Mesa. The company has announced a partnership with Salt River Project (SRP) and Ørsted, a leading U.S. clean energy supplier, to power the data center primarily with solar energy.
The partnership will allow Meta to draw most of its energy from Ørsted’s Eleven Mile Solar Center, a sprawling 300-MW solar farm equipped with a 300-MW battery storage system currently under construction in Pinal County, Arizona. Set to be operational in 2024, this initiative is poised to become the largest solar-plus-battery project within SRP’s power grid and one of the most extensive single-phase battery storage projects in the country.
“The availability of renewable energy and a reliable grid were critical factors in our decision to establish our data center in Mesa,” said Urvi Parekh, Meta’s head of renewable energy. “We are committed to making a positive impact on the communities we operate in and are excited to contribute to local economic growth through this project.”
Meta’s involvement in renewable energy doesn’t stop with the Eleven Mile Solar Center. The company has also secured 50 MW from the West Line Solar Facility in Eloy, Arizona, and plans to acquire energy from the Brittlebush Solar Facility in Coolidge, Arizona, which is expected to be operational in 2024. These efforts are part of Meta’s broader commitment to achieving 100% renewable energy and reaching net-zero carbon emissions.
The Eleven Mile Solar Center, which spans more than 2,000 acres, is expected to generate approximately $89 million in tax revenue over its lifetime, benefiting local school districts, the municipalities of Coolidge and Eloy, and Pinal County. The project has already had a significant economic impact, creating over 300 jobs during its construction phase.
This partnership aligns with SRP’s recently adopted Integrated System Plan, which outlines a strategy to meet the growing energy demands in the region by 2035. The plan emphasizes investments in advanced battery technology, new solar installations, and other modern energy resources, including flexible natural gas. By 2035, SRP aims to introduce 7,000 MW of new renewable resources, including 6,000 MW from large-scale solar facilities, enough to power over 1.3 million homes.
As SRP continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio, the collaboration with Meta and Ørsted marks a significant milestone in the transition to a more sustainable and reliable energy future for the region. For Mesa residents, this means not only a new data center but also a substantial investment in clean energy and economic development.
