Entergy Louisiana President Phillip May unintentionally disclosed Tuesday that Meta’s upcoming data center in Richland Parish will require an estimated 4,500 megawatts of electricity. That figure, roughly four times the peak demand of the entire city of New Orleans, underscores the massive scale of the project.

Why the disclosure matters

The power demand has been treated as confidential by both Entergy and Meta, who argue that the details are commercially sensitive. May acknowledged the slip immediately, noting the significance of the number and the need for careful handling of such information.

Entergy’s investment plan

May defended the billions of dollars in new generation and transmission infrastructure that Enterry plans to build primarily to serve the Richland Parish facility. He explained that the agreement with Meta is structured to protect ratepayers: Meta’s payments are designed to exceed the actual revenue requirements for the infrastructure. If Entergy’s costs rise, Meta will pay more; if costs fall, Meta will pay less.

“No other customer in our 100‑year history has ever committed to such a generous package of benefits for our customers, along with protections that ensure that our customers get those benefits,” May said.

Critics raise concerns

Attorneys for the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Alliance for Affordable Energy, and the Louisiana Energy Users Group pressed May on whether Entergy has fully examined the financial risks of making such a large investment around a single customer. They asked if other ratepayers could ultimately be left footing the bill for the project.

In response, May reiterated that the payment structure is intended to shield ratepayers from cost overruns, emphasizing that Meta’s financial commitments are tied directly to the utility’s actual expenses.

Local impact

The data center’s power needs highlight the growing demand for high‑capacity electricity in Louisiana as tech companies expand their operations. While the project promises significant economic activity and job creation, the discussion around cost allocation and ratepayer protection remains a focal point for local stakeholders.

As the project moves forward, Entergy and Meta will continue to work within the agreed framework, aiming to balance the substantial infrastructure requirements with the interests of Louisiana’s electricity consumers.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.