EDP Renewables North America and Meta have entered into a long-term power purchase agreement for the output of Cypress Knee Solar, a planned 250-megawatt solar project in southeast Arkansas.
The agreement marks the third renewable energy partnership between the two companies and brings the total amount of procured energy between EDP Renewables and Meta to 545 MW.
According to the companies, Cypress Knee Solar is expected to be built in Chicot County, Arkansas, with commercial operations anticipated by 2028. EDP Renewables said in a project fact sheet that the facility could begin operations as early as next year.
The project is expected to generate more than $25 million in additional funding for Chicot County over its projected 30-year operating life through an Industrial Revenue Bond agreement.
The agreement supports Meta’s broader strategy of matching its electricity consumption with renewable energy generation as the company continues expanding its artificial intelligence and data center operations across the United States.
“The agreement supports Meta’s efforts to add new generation to the grid as it continues to match 100% of its annual electricity use with new clean and renewable energy,” the companies said in a joint announcement.
Meta has increasingly relied on long-term power purchase agreements to support the energy needs of its growing infrastructure footprint. The company states on its website that it “routinely” partners with energy providers through renewable energy contracts tied to its facilities.
In December, Meta announced a separate agreement with NextEra Energy involving 11 power purchase agreements totaling 2.1 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity.
The new Arkansas solar project also comes as Meta continues investing heavily in energy infrastructure connected to its $27 billion Hyperion data center development in Richland Parish, Louisiana.
Chicot County, where the Cypress Knee Solar project will be developed, borders Louisiana and sits near areas experiencing significant growth in energy demand linked to large-scale data center development.
Earlier this year, Entergy Louisiana announced an agreement with Meta to provide 5.2 GW of natural gas generation capacity to support operations at the Hyperion data center campus.
The growing demand for renewable and reliable energy sources has accelerated partnerships between technology companies and renewable energy developers as hyperscale operators seek to secure long-term electricity supplies for AI-driven computing facilities.
EDP Renewables North America continues expanding its solar and renewable energy portfolio across the United States, with projects designed to support utility-scale power demand and corporate sustainability goals.
The Arkansas solar development is also expected to provide long-term economic benefits to the local community through tax revenue and infrastructure investment tied to the project.
Meta and other technology companies have increasingly diversified their energy procurement strategies in recent years, combining renewable energy projects, natural gas generation and emerging technologies to meet rapidly increasing power needs associated with AI and cloud computing infrastructure.
Originally reported by Diana DiGangi, Reporter in Utility Dive.
