Meta Expands AI Infrastructure with $1.5B Data Center in El Paso, Texas

TLDRs;

• Meta to invest over $1.5 billion in a new AI data center in El Paso, Texas.
• Construction will create about 1,800 jobs and 100 long-term roles once operational.
• The site targets LEED Gold certification with a closed-loop cooling system.
• Meta continues expanding beyond smartphones, betting big on AI-driven devices and infrastructure.

Meta Platforms, Inc. is doubling down on its artificial intelligence ambitions with a major new investment, a $1.5 billion AI-focused data center in El Paso, Texas.

The upcoming facility marks the company’s third major data hub in the state, signaling Meta’s growing commitment to building the computational backbone that will support its AI-powered future.

The project is designed to scale up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of capacity over time, though the first phase will begin on a smaller scale. Meta says construction will peak at around 1,800 temporary jobs, while the operational phase will employ approximately 100 permanent staff.

For Meta, this isn’t just another data center, it’s a strategic expansion of its AI infrastructure, underpinning everything from large-scale model training to next-gen user experiences like AI-powered smart glasses and neural interfaces.

Sustainable Design, Smarter Systems

The El Paso facility reflects Meta’s push toward environmentally conscious infrastructure. The site will use a closed-loop, liquid-cooled system that minimizes water use and ensures stable cooling for AI-intensive workloads. The company has also set its sights on achieving LEED Gold certification, a standard that recognizes high performance in sustainability, energy efficiency, and design.

Meta plans to match the data center’s energy consumption with renewable energy sources, ensuring that every kilowatt-hour used is offset by clean generation. Additionally, the company has pledged to restore twice the amount of water the facility consumes through partnerships with organizations like DigDeep and the Texas Water Action Collaborative.

This approach reflects Meta’s broader goal to build a carbon-neutral digital ecosystem, one capable of handling the demands of modern AI models without worsening environmental pressures.

Building Texas as a Tech Powerhouse

Meta’s investment in El Paso adds to its already significant presence in Texas, where the company has invested over $10 billion and employs more than 2,500 people. With its expanding network of facilities, Meta is turning Texas into a core hub for AI and data innovation.

The buildout also aligns with regional development goals. El Paso Electric (EPE), the local utility provider, expects the data center’s energy demand to surpass 100 megawatts in early phases, enough to power thousands of homes. Meta has reportedly helped fund new transmission lines, substations, and renewable projects, signaling its intent to anchor long-term growth in the region.

This initiative could also boost local clean energy projects, including new solar farms and battery storage installations, further integrating Meta’s AI ambitions with Texas’s renewable future.

Fueling Zuckerberg’s Post-Smartphone Vision

The El Paso investment dovetails with CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s broader vision of a world where AI weaves seamlessly into daily life.

Zuckerberg has often said that Meta’s long-term strategy extends “beyond the smartphone” toward wearable AI devices that enhance human interaction rather than distract from it.

He envisions AI-powered smart glasses, guided by a neural wristband, as the next major computing platform. These devices would use advanced AI to understand a user’s surroundings, interpret subtle hand gestures, and project holographic interfaces in real time.

To realize that vision, Meta needs immense computing power, exactly what the new El Paso data center will provide. By scaling its AI infrastructure, Meta is effectively laying the groundwork for this next era of personal technology.

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