Meta has finalized three major solar energy procurement agreements this week, securing nearly 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar capacity as part of its ongoing push to power its rapidly growing artificial intelligence operations with renewable energy sources. The latest deals bring the company’s total solar acquisitions this year to more than 3 GW, reflecting the increasing demand for electricity driven by the expansion of data centers worldwide.

In an announcement on Thursday, Meta confirmed two new agreements in Louisiana that will allow the company to purchase the environmental attributes of 385 megawatts (MW) of electricity. Both projects are expected to be completed and operational by 2027.

Earlier in the week, Meta revealed another substantial deal in Texas, purchasing 600 MW from a large-scale solar farm located near Lubbock. The Texas facility will feed electricity directly into the local power grid, effectively offsetting energy consumption by Meta’s data centers operating in the region. This project is also scheduled to begin commercial operations in 2027.

However, unlike the Texas deal, the Louisiana agreements involve the purchase of Environmental Attribute Certificates (EACs)—commonly known as renewable energy certificates. These certificates are intended to allow companies to claim reduced carbon emissions even when the renewable energy is not directly powering their facilities.

The use of EACs has come under scrutiny in recent years. Initially introduced when renewable energy was significantly more expensive than fossil fuels, the certificates were designed to provide financial incentives for companies to support clean energy development. But with the cost of solar and wind power now lower than many traditional energy sources, analysts argue that EACs no longer play the same role in driving new renewable infrastructure.

Critics say that relying on certificates may obscure the true carbon impact of large-scale technology operations—especially as AI development drives massive increases in electricity consumption. They argue that for tech companies to meaningfully offset their growing energy usage, they must invest directly in the creation of new renewable power infrastructure rather than simply purchasing offsets.

Despite the ongoing debate, the latest deals underscore Meta’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy footprint as it continues to scale its global data center operations. The company maintains that securing clean energy remains a core priority in its long-term sustainability strategy.

Source: Techcrunch