Data centers now consume as much electricity as small states, with Meta’s new Hyperion AI center demanding more juice than South Dakota. To fuel this behemoth, Meta has committed to building 10 natural gas power plants in Louisiana, generating 7.5 gigawatts of power – enough to surpass the state's capacity.

Meta has long touted its environmental credentials but this move is puzzling given their investment in renewables. Natural gas, once seen as a 'bridge fuel,' now faces scrutiny due to plummeting costs for alternatives and the environmental risks posed by methane leaks. Environmentalists argue that Meta’s latest commitment could exacerbate climate issues rather than mitigate them.

Calculations suggest these new plants will emit 12.4 million metric tons of CO2 annually, surpassing even Meta's current carbon footprint. Methane, a major component of natural gas, is up to 84 times more potent at warming the planet compared to CO2. The tech giant’s latest sustainability report fails to address methane emissions fully.

Meta might offset these emissions through carbon credits but this could come with increased costs and an uncertain environmental impact. As the world watches, one wonders if tech giants are truly leading the charge towards sustainability or simply using renewable energy as a PR facade.