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Meta teamed up with XGS Energy to build a 150 MW geothermal power plant in New Mexico, aiming to power its data centres with clean, always-on energy.
A 150 MW geothermal power plant can generate enough electricity to power roughly 1.5 to 2 lakh homes continuously, perfect for running large data centres that need constant energy.
The deets: geothermal energy taps heat from deep underground to produce electricity 24/7, without emissions. It’s seen as a perfect fit for energy-hungry tech firms, who need reliable green power to run their data centres.
Why it matters: as demand for AI and cloud computing explodes, companies are looking for cleaner ways to meet their growing power needs.
While most geothermal players use open-loop systems, where water flows through underground cracks and some is lost, XGS uses a closed-loop system circulating water through a sealed pipe to capture heat more efficiently, with minimal water loss. They also inject a special proprietary mud to boost heat transfer.
Zoom out: advanced geothermal could meet two-thirds of new US data centre demand by 2030. With its round-the-clock power and zero emissions, geothermal is fast becoming a key pillar of clean energy strategies for hyperscalers like Meta.
