Meta and Enbridge Launch $1.2bn Solar and Storage Project to Power AI Growth

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence is reshaping electricity markets, with hyperscale technology firms increasingly securing long-term clean power to support energy-intensive data centre operations.

A new agreement between Meta Platforms and Enbridge reflects this shift. The companies plan to develop a US$1.2 billion hybrid solar and battery storage project in Wyoming to support Meta’s growing US data centre footprint while strengthening regional grid reliability.

The project underscores how AI-driven computing demand is accelerating investment in utility-scale generation and storage infrastructure across North America.

Wyoming’s Cowboy Project Combines Solar And Storage

Located near Cheyenne, the Cowboy Project integrates 365 MW of solar capacity with a 200 MW battery energy storage system. The first phase is expected to come online by the end of 2027.

Enbridge describes the facility as “dispatchable renewable power”, with battery systems enabling electricity generated during daylight hours to be shifted into peak demand periods when solar output is unavailable.

The storage technology will be supplied and maintained under a long-term agreement with Tesla, Inc.

Power will be delivered through Wyoming’s Large Power Contract Service tariff framework, designed to support high-load customers such as data centres without directly increasing retail electricity tariffs.

Meta Expands Clean Power Strategy

For Meta Platforms, the project forms part of a broader clean energy procurement strategy aimed at matching rising data centre electricity demand with contracted renewable capacity. The company already holds approximately 1.6 GW of contracted renewable energy with Enbridge across North America, including wind and solar projects in Texas.

Meta has become one of the world’s largest corporate buyers of renewable energy, as it seeks to align its expanding AI infrastructure with its 2030 net-zero value chain target.

AI Infrastructure Drives Structural Electricity Demand

The investment comes amid accelerating forecasts for AI-related infrastructure growth. Bank of America estimates the global AI data centre systems market could reach US$1.7 trillion by 2030, driven by investment in chips, cloud infrastructure, and power systems.

At the same time, the International Energy Agency expects global data centre electricity consumption to more than double by 2030. In the United States, data centres could account for around 11% of total electricity demand, up from roughly 4–5% today.

This rapid growth is placing pressure on utilities to expand generation capacity, reinforce transmission networks, and improve grid flexibility.

Enbridge Expands Beyond Midstream Assets

Enbridge, traditionally known for its oil and gas pipeline infrastructure, is increasingly expanding into power generation and renewable energy.

The company reports a project backlog of around US$29 billion and says it is pursuing more than 50 data centre-related opportunities across North America.

This diversification reflects a broader industry trend, where energy infrastructure firms are repositioning to serve rising demand from electrification and digital infrastructure growth.

Grid Challenges and Environmental Scrutiny Remain

Despite strong momentum behind renewable procurement, large-scale data centre expansion continues to face scrutiny over grid impacts, water use for cooling, and reliance on backup fossil generation in some regions.

Critics have raised concerns about the indirect emissions associated with rapid AI infrastructure growth, particularly where new gas-fired capacity is required to ensure reliability.

AI and Energy Systems Increasingly Converge

The Cowboy Project highlights a growing convergence between digital infrastructure and energy systems. By combining solar generation with large-scale battery storage, it aims to deliver firm, dispatchable clean power tailored to continuous AI workloads.

As AI adoption accelerates, analysts expect similar hybrid energy structures to become standard, blending renewables, storage, and long-term corporate offtake agreements.

The key challenge ahead will be scaling these systems fast enough to meet rising demand while maintaining affordability, grid stability, and decarbonisation targets across increasingly strained electricity networks.

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