Meta Signs 144-MW Texas Solar PPA with Apex Clean Energy
Meta and Apex finalize a 144-MW solar deal in Gonzales County, adding to a 1.2-GW portfolio as Texas data center demand surges.
Key points
- Meta and Apex signed a 144-MW solar PPA in Texas, bringing their combined portfolio to 1.2 GW across five states.
- Apex estimates the project will generate $27 million in tax revenue and create 400 to 450 construction jobs.
- Texas electricity demand is projected to reach 367,790 MW by 2032, driven by data centers and manufacturing.
Meta has executed a power purchase agreement with Apex Clean Energy for the Starling Solar project, a 144-megawatt facility located in Gonzales County, Texas. The agreement secures renewable energy certificates for Meta and marks the seventh such transaction between the two companies, expanding their combined clean energy portfolio to approximately 1.2 gigawatts across five states.
The project is scheduled to commence commercial operations in 2027, although grid interconnection timelines could push this to early 2028. According to reporting by CarbonCredits.com, the deal is designed to support new solar capacity that would not otherwise be built, aligning with Meta’s strategy to match 100% of its electricity use with clean energy sources.
Financial benefits and local economic impact
Apex estimates the Starling Solar project will generate roughly $27 million in tax revenue over its operational life, including $15.6 million directed to local school districts. The developer also projects over $26.3 million in payments to landowners and the creation of between 400 and 450 construction jobs during the build-out phase.
Texas grid demand and solar growth
The contract arrives as the Electric Reliability Council of Texas projects potential electricity demand to reach approximately 367,790 megawatts by 2032, a significant increase from the 85,508 megawatt record peak in 2023. This surge is driven largely by data centers and manufacturing, with Meta itself planning a 1-gigawatt facility in El Paso that involves an investment exceeding $10 billion.
Solar generation is expanding rapidly within this mix. The U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts utility-scale solar output in the ERCOT region to reach about 78 billion kilowatt-hours in 2026, surpassing coal generation of 60 billion kilowatt-hours. Solar’s share of total electricity supplied in the region rose from 4% in 2021 to 12% in 2025.
Meta’s broader renewable energy strategy
Meta aims to achieve net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2030 and targets a 42% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2031 compared to 2021 levels. Since 2020, the company has matched its global electricity consumption with clean energy, adding more than 30 gigawatts of new renewable capacity to grids worldwide. The Starling project contributes directly to these targets, though it is distinct from carbon credit mechanisms.
