Could Geothermal Solve Meta's Data Centre Emission Problem?
Meta has signed an agreement with XGS Energy for a geothermal energy project in New Mexico.
This collaboration aims to harness 150 MW of geothermal capacity, aligning with Meta's efforts to support sustainable AI development without the dependency on water.
By integrating XGS Energy's innovative technology, Meta seeks to deliver reliable, sustainable electricity to meet increasing energy requirements, particularly in AI and data centre operations.
“We’re pleased to support Meta’s ambitious AI objectives and accelerate access to new round-the-clock power supplies,” says Josh Prueher, CEO at XGS Energy.
“More broadly, the state of New Mexico is a growing hub for data centre development. We are eager to feed clean, water-independent geothermal power into the New Mexico market at a scale uniquely possible with XGS technology.”
Renewables for cleaner data centre power
XGS Energy’s geothermal technology is designed to enable geothermal power production with zero operating water use.
This initiative will be integrated into the PNM electric grid, powering Meta's data centre operations in New Mexico.
The project's success could demonstrate a viable model for meeting data centre energy needs more sustainably, mitigating water use traditionally associated with such facilities.
- Provides clean, round-the-clock energy
- Solid-state geothermal system uses thermally conductive materials to deliver affordable energy
- Decouples geothermal energy production from its historical dependence on natural water resources and geological conditions
The strategic location of New Mexico, rich in hot rock resources but with limited geothermal infrastructure, offers an opportunity for XGS to multiply geothermal electricity production in the state tenfold.
“New Mexico is not only the second-largest oil and gas producer in the US, but also one of the nation’s leading sources of clean energy,” explains Gov. Lujan Grisham. “We’ve worked hard to ensure New Mexico remains at the forefront of the energy transition, and geothermal energy represents a promising new frontier.
“Project InnerSpace’s report outlines both the scale of New Mexico’s geothermal potential and practical steps to develop it. XGS Energy and Meta’s 150 MW project will create good-paying jobs, strengthen our grid with reliable baseload power and position our state as a national leader in next-generation renewable energy.”
Meta eager to achieve sustainability progress
Data centres, crucial for AI advancements, are known for their high water consumption to cool servers.
Currently, according to Lenovo, the average data centre uses roughly 300,000 gallons of water a day to keep cool – the equivalent to water use in 100,000 homes.
We’re proud to support this innovative, carbon-free project from Meta and XGS Energy. This project is a meaningful step toward meeting New Mexico’s clean energy goals and demonstrates the power of advanced technology to shape our energy future.
Meta has been significantly ramping up its AI and cloud efforts in recent months, having recently planned to invest nearly US$1bn into a new data centre in Wisconsin.
The technology giant is investing heavily into this type of infrastructure to remain competitive in the industry, whilst also future-proofing its platforms to meet continued demands for cloud-powered services.
However, the company also states it recognises its role to deliver sustainable and responsible operations, which includes reducing its emissions and energy and water used to power its data centres.
The two-phased project with XGS is set to be fully operational by 2030.
“Advances in AI require continued energy to support infrastructure development,” says Urvi Parekh, Global Head of Energy at Meta.
“With next-generation geothermal technologies like XGS ready for scale, geothermal can be a major player in supporting the advancement of technologies like AI as well as domestic data centre development.
“We’re excited to partner with XGS to unlock a new category of energy supply for our operations in New Mexico.”
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