Meta (NASDAQ:META), the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has intensified its renewable energy efforts through four new environmental attribute purchase agreements (EAPAs) with Madrid-based Zelestra. These agreements will support the construction of four solar projects in Texas, aiming to provide 595 MW of renewable energy to power Meta’s data centers in the state. This step aligns with the company’s broader goal of achieving net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2030—a target that reinforces its position as a major corporate buyer of renewable energy. Such initiatives highlight a continued commitment to environmental sustainability while addressing the operational needs of its global network infrastructure.
What does Zelestra aim to achieve with these agreements?
The agreements will enable Zelestra to develop solar projects across four counties in Texas: Hopkins, Lamar, Lampasas, and Henderson. Once operational, these projects will contribute electricity to the Texas ERCOT grid. Zelestra’s renewable energy portfolio spans 28 GW of carbon-free projects globally across 13 countries, and the company is actively working on 6.6 GWdc of renewable projects in the U.S. Phillip North, CEO of Zelestra US, remarked,
“The agreement is a major boost to our wider ambition of doubling our total contracted renewables portfolio across the US in the next two years.”
How do these agreements fit into Meta’s energy transition strategy?
Meta has made significant strides in renewable energy procurement, meeting 100% of its operational energy needs with renewable sources as of 2020. These recent agreements with Zelestra build on previous Texas-based deals, including those with Engie North America, which are set to supply over 460 MW of solar energy. Urvi Parekh, Head of Global Energy at Meta, emphasized the importance of these efforts, stating,
“The renewable energy from these projects will support our data center operations, as well as our ongoing efforts to match our electricity usage with 100% clean and renewable energy.”
Meta’s actions, such as its aim to add 9.8 GW of renewable energy to local U.S. grids by 2025, reflect its dedication to integrating clean energy into its operational framework.
In earlier deals, Meta partnered with Zelestra in April 2024 to develop solar plants in Indiana, contributing 210 MW of renewable capacity. These collaborations underline Meta’s global approach to engaging with renewable energy developers to meet its sustainability goals. Comparatively, Meta’s renewable energy strategies demonstrate a broader scale and ambitious timeline when juxtaposed with other tech giants pursuing similar objectives.
Zelestra’s engagement with multiple renewable technologies, including solar PV, wind, and battery energy storage systems, showcases the company’s versatility. This diversification aligns with its ambition to advance decarbonization efforts globally. By tripling the size of its partnership with Meta, Zelestra reinforces its commitment to scaling clean energy infrastructure in the United States and beyond.
While Meta’s initiatives in renewable energy are commendable for their scale, the broader implications of such corporate sustainability efforts remain significant. The company’s focus on local grids and its collaborations with entities like Zelestra indicate a shift towards decarbonizing energy-intensive operations. This move could inspire other corporations to adopt similar energy strategies, thus amplifying the collective global push toward reducing carbon footprints.
As renewable energy investments gain momentum, businesses face the challenge of balancing energy demands with sustainability goals. Collaborations like those between Meta and Zelestra underscore the role of strategic partnerships in bridging this gap. By leveraging advanced clean energy technologies and extensive project portfolios, such initiatives not only address immediate power needs but also contribute to building a more resilient and sustainable energy ecosystem.
