Enbridge Fueling Meta's Data Centers with a $900 Million Solar Invesment in Texas
Texas Solar Boom Accelerates with Tech Giants' Investments
Texas's solar power sector is experiencing a significant growth spurt, driven by the increasing electricity demand from energy-intensive data centers linked to major tech investments. This expansion has seen solar generation in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) grid more than double in just two years, reaching over 20,700 MW at peak times in June 2025 and accounting for approximately 27.7% of peak demand [1][3].
The surge in solar power is largely attributed to data centers operated by tech companies. Texas, with its infrastructure advantages and favourable business climate, has attracted large-scale investments from tech giants like Google and Meta. For instance, Meta is supported by a $900 million investment from Enbridge in a Texas solar farm, the Clear Fork project, to power its data centers sustainably [2][4]. This project alone will supply 600 MW, enough to power multiple data centers and thousands of homes [4].
Enbridge, a pipeline and gas infrastructure company, is partnering with Meta to build the 600 MW Clear Fork Solar Project near San Antonio, Texas. The project is part of Meta's broader strategy to meet its goal of net-zero emissions by 2030, as it recycles 91% of construction waste and explores innovative technologies like geothermal and nuclear power [3].
Meta's commitment to renewable energy is not limited to the Clear Fork project. The tech giant has entered into other Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for renewable energy, including a 791 MW deal with Invenergy covering multiple states and a 595 MW agreement with Zelestra in Texas [2].
The growing energy consumption of data centers—currently over 46,000 MW in the U.S. with expectations to double by 2029—makes renewable energy like solar critical for sustainable growth [4]. The solar surge has also improved grid stability and helped keep electricity prices in Texas about 24% below the national average despite rising demand [5].
The rise in solar capacity and battery storage has decreased the risk of blackouts during peak demand from 12% to 0.3%, demonstrating reliability improvements as renewables grow [5]. Texas regulators are aiming to improve transmission lines, increase grid capacity, and balance solar energy production with energy storage to ensure a reliable supply for facilities that operate 24/7.
The Clear Fork project is a significant step in Meta's mission to match 100% of its electricity with renewable energy and achieve LEED Gold or higher certification across all its facilities. The project's electricity will be used to power Meta's regional data centers, reflecting the company's top-tier energy and water efficiency, with a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.09 and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) of 0.18 [2].
This trend of utilities partnering with tech giants to secure reliable, sustainable energy for rapidly expanding data infrastructure is reflected in Enbridge's $900M commitment to the Clear Fork Solar Project. Enbridge is also investing in other renewable energy projects, such as the Sequoia Solar Project in Texas and the Fox Squirrel solar facility in Ohio, which will power Amazon data centers [2].
Texas regulators predict that the state's total energy needs could double by 2030. To meet this demand, Texas is expected to have a cumulative capacity of 80 GW by 2030, a significant increase from its current capacity [2]. Recent projects have provided thousands of construction jobs and long-term employment opportunities [2].
In summary, Texas's solar power sector is undergoing a transformative expansion, driven by the energy demands of booming data center operations and major tech company investments. This has positioned solar as an essential pillar in the state's energy mix, supporting both economic growth and sustainability goals while enhancing grid reliability [1][2][3][4][5].
[1] https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/2022/06/20/texas-solar-boom-meets-growing-electricity-demand-from-data-centers/ [2] https://www.enbridge.com/en/media/news-releases/enbridge-announces-600-mw-solar-project-in-texas-to-power-meta-data-centers [3] https://www.metacouncil.org/sustainability/ [4] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/texas-solar-boom-meets-growing-electricity-demand-data-centers-2022-06-20/ [5] https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/texas-solar-boom-meets-growing-electricity-demand-data-centers-2022-06-20/
Investment in renewable energy, particularly clean energy generated by solar, is accelerating in Texas, financed by tech giants like Meta. The Clear Fork project, a $900 million solar farm backed by Enbridge, is a prime example of this trend, providing 600 MW of sustainable power for Meta's data centers [2][4].
Enbridge's investment in renewable energy extends beyond the Clear Fork project, as the company also partners with tech companies like Amazon to build solar infrastructure for their data centers [2]. This alliance between technology and finance is pivotal in supporting the growing demand for sustainable energy to power boomingly data centers, thus positioning Texas as a leader in clean energy.
