Key Highlights –
- New AI-focused data center in El Paso will scale to 1 GW to support AI workloads.
- The project will create 1,800 construction jobs and 100 operational roles once complete.
- Facility designed for efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability with LEED Gold standards.
- Meta will restore 200% of the water consumed and match its energy use with 100% renewable energy.
Meta has begun the construction of its new AI-optimized data center in El Paso, Texas, which is the 29th one globally and the 3rd one in the state. This facility will be instrumental in providing advanced AI models as Meta builds its infrastructure for products such as smart glasses, AI assistants, live translation, and video editing tools. The company is partnering with The Borderplex Alliance to bring the $1.5 billion project to life.
Building for the Future of AI
The company has designed the facility for an eventual consumption of 1 GW of power, which will turn it into a powerhouse for Meta’s big growth in AI workloads. As the AI inference and training requirements are changing, Meta’s design is emphasizing flexibility, which will be a feature of the data center. These systems will operate both the current servers and the future AI-enabled hardware. This way, Meta will adapt to technological advancement while continuing to provide the innovations that keep people connected, create communities, and support business development.
Supporting the El Paso Community
El Paso’s excellent infrastructure and talented labor make the city a perfect place for this investment. Initially, during the construction phase, 1,800 workers will be employed, and afterward, the site will have around 100 full-time operational positions. Meta is working with regional partners to ensure long-term community growth and foster El Paso’s small businesses through its Community Accelerator Program that supports entrepreneurs in using AI tools for the expansion of their operations. The company also plans to introduce Community Action Grants in El Paso next year.
This adds up to Meta’s third data center in Texas, resulting in the creation of thousands of jobs and more than $10 billion investment in the state already.
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Prioritizing Environmental Stewardship
Meta has designed and constructed its data centers with a focus on efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability. The El Paso site will be awarded LEED Gold certification, which signifies compliance with the highest standards for both energy efficiency and clean-energy use.
The closed-loop, liquid-cooled system used at this location will not require any water for the majority of the year. Meta plans to be water positive by the year 2030, which means that the company will restore 200% of the water consumed back to the local watersheds through partnerships with DigDeep and the Texas Water Action Collaborative.
The center will be powered up entirely from renewable sources via a deal with El Paso Electric that includes the development of new grid connections, transmission lines, and substations.
A Step Forward in AI Infrastructure
Meta’s El Paso data center is a significant leap forward in constructing the infrastructure necessary for artificial intelligence to progress. It is built on a large scale, with sustainability and community benefit in mind, and it also strengthens Meta’s promise to deliver the next generation of AI technologies while still helping the local economy and environment.
