Silicon Ranch has partnered with Central Electric Power Cooperative (CEPC) to develop a 100 MW solar facility in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. The project will support Meta’s data center in the state and contribute to its renewable energy commitments. Both the solar project and Meta’s data center are scheduled to be operational in 2027. The project represents an investment of over $100 million. Silicon Ranch will be funding, as well executing the solar project on a build, own, and operate basis with Santee Cooper.
All the equipment for the project will be sourced from domestic manufacturers. CRPC will purchase the generated electricity for its statewide power portfolio, supplying all the 19 of its member cooperatives. Aiken Electric Cooperative, one of the members, will deliver the energy to Meta’s data center, which is under construction in Sage Mill Industrial Park near Graniteville. Additionally, Meta will receive all renewable energy credits linked to the project.
Silicon Ranch, founded in 2011, is an independent power producer in the U.S. The company has a portfolio of more than 7 GW of solar and battery storage systems that are contracted, under construction, or operating across US and Canada.
Meanwhile, recently Meta signed a renewable purchase agreement with Pine Gate Renewables for a 210 MW solar energy project. Prior to that, Invenergy and Meta inked four agreements to supply an additional 791 MW of procured solar and wind energy. The agreements will deliver near-term energy to support Meta’s operations, data center growth, and clean energy goals.
REGlobal’s Views: Meta has been expanding its renewable energy procurement in the US. The company will use this renewable energy to meet the requirements of its energy-intensive data center operations, as the company has a goal to meet its electricity usage with 100% renewable energy.
