### Meta Going All Green for Austin Data Center
One of the biggest challenges in developing data centers is the immense energy demand required to power stacks of computers. Meta Platforms is addressing this issue by committing to 100% renewable energy for its newest data center in downtown Austin. Construction on the associated solar project is set to begin later this year.
According to the *Austin Business Journal*, Meta has entered into a new power purchase agreement with RWE, one of the largest renewable energy companies in the U.S. This agreement enables Meta to procure 100% of the output from RWE’s Waterloo Solar project, which is planned for Bastrop County. RWE’s investment during the construction phase is expected to generate approximately $26 million in economic activity.
Meta has yet to occupy the nearly 600,000 square feet of leased space in the Sixth and Guadalupe tower in downtown Austin. The company also leases additional office space at 300 W. Sixth and Third + Shoal Tower, located just a few blocks away.
In addition to its Austin expansion, Meta is developing a hyperscale data center in Temple, a project initially estimated to cost $800 million.
