Meta bets on hot rocks in AI power race
Facebook owner signs deal with geothermal technology pioneer over New Mexico plant
Meta has backed new geothermal power technology in its drive to unlock new sources of energy for its AI data centre fleet.
The Facebook owner will partner with geothermal pioneer XGS Energy on a 150MW pilot plant in the US state of New Mexico.
XGS’s system is touted as opening the potential for geothermal power production in regions previously inaccessible to the energy source due to lack of water or impermeable rocks.
The technology allows continuous power production directly from hot, dry rock formations such as those found in New Mexico, claims the developer.
Meta’s involvement at this stage appears to be as a partner rather than signatory of an offtake deal, but it said the agreement would “unlock a new category of energy supply for our operations in New Mexico”.
Like other tech giants such as Google and Microsoft – which have also dabbled with geothermal – Meta is chasing the goal of 24/7 baseload-style clean energy supplies.
Although they are among the world’s largest procurers of wind and solar, the dash for scale and firm supplies has seen data centre operators turn to gas and nuclear as well in an effort to underpin future capacity growth.
The two-phase 150MW XGS agreement will include an initial smaller phase, and a second, larger one both expected to be operational by 2030.
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