Meta's $27B Louisiana Data Center Triggers 7.5-GW Power Build, Thousands of Field Jobs
According to Engineering News-Record, Meta Platforms has struck a deal with Entergy Louisiana to finance a sweeping energy infrastructure buildout supporting its $27 billion data center campus in Richland Parish, a project that could scale to 5 GW and become the company’s largest facility worldwide.
Market Impact
Meta will fund seven new natural gas power plants totaling more than 5.2 GW, approximately 240 miles of 500-kV transmission lines, battery storage installations across multiple sites, and up to 2.5 GW of new renewable resources, bringing the total potential generation buildout to approximately 7.7 GW. The company also signed a memorandum of understanding to explore nuclear development. The seven gas units still require approval from the Louisiana Public Service Commission.
The data center campus itself, branded Hyperion, spans 4 million square feet in Richland Parish and is being built by a joint venture of Turner Construction, DPR Construction, and Mortenson. The multi-building program includes one network data center, four support structures, and extensive modular electrical and mechanical systems. Peak onsite employment is expected to exceed 5,000 workers, according to DPR Construction. Meta says early site work is already underway, with additional local upgrades needed for roads, water systems, and utility connections.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg has described the site as large enough to cover a significant portion of Manhattan.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Power and transmission work is the big opportunity. Seven gas plants and 240 miles of 500-kV line represent years of work for electrical, civil, and mechanical subcontractors across Louisiana. Watch for Entergy Louisiana procurement activity as PSC approvals move forward.
- Site infrastructure contracts are active now. Meta confirmed early site work is underway. Road, water, and utility upgrade scopes tied to the Richland Parish campus are live or imminent, not future tense.
- 5,000 peak workers means deep subcontractor tiers. Turner-DPR-Mortenson will need a broad supply chain for modular electrical, mechanical, concrete, and specialty trades. Louisiana-based subs with data center or industrial experience should be positioning with the GC joint venture now.
- This signals a regional pattern. Louisiana is fast becoming a data center corridor. Subcontractors building relationships and safety records on this project will be well-positioned for the next wave of hyperscale builds in the Gulf South.
