Meta Embraces Geothermal Energy: Announcing a Major 150 MW Power Plant Project in New Mexico
Meta is making significant strides in renewable energy adoption, announcing a new partnership with startup XGS Energy to develop a 150-megawatt geothermal power plant in New Mexico. While the company hasn’t revealed the exact location of the project, this move signals Meta’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions and reducing its carbon footprint.
This collaboration is part of a broader trend among tech giants and data center operators exploring geothermal energy. Unlike intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind, geothermal provides a reliable, around-the-clock electricity supply without emissions—making it highly attractive for large-scale digital infrastructure.
Advanced geothermal technology, which involves drilling deeper to access hotter rocks, holds enormous potential. According to the Rhodium Group, it could generate enough electricity in the U.S. to meet nearly two-thirds of the expected new data center demand by 2030. This makes geothermal an essential part of the future energy mix for tech companies committed to sustainability.
Innovations in geothermal drilling are also on the rise. Many startups are adopting open-loop designs, where water is injected into one well, flows through underground cracks to generate heat, and is then extracted from another well. However, this method can lead to water loss over time.
XGS Energy is taking a different approach with its closed-loop system. They send water through a sealed well, which minimizes water loss, and use a proprietary mud around the well casing to enhance heat transfer from the rocks. This innovative technique aims to make geothermal energy more efficient and sustainable.
The partnership between Meta and XGS Energy is just the latest example of the growing interest in geothermal energy among tech companies. Recently, Fervo Energy secured $206 million to expand its Cape Station geothermal power plant, which is expected to become the largest in the world. Speculation suggests Fervo may even go public as early as next year.
Similarly, Google has committed to geothermal energy by purchasing 10 megawatts from Baseload Capital to power its operations in Taiwan. The company also has a deal with Fervo to supply electricity to its Nevada data centers. Meanwhile, XGS Energy raised $20 million in its Series A funding last year to develop a commercial-scale geothermal prototype in California.
As more tech giants and startups invest in geothermal energy, this clean, reliable power source is poised to play a critical role in powering our digital future.
