El Paso to host Meta’s new AI data center
El Paso, Texas, will host a new Meta data center focused on artificial intelligence (AI), designed to scale up to 1 gigawatt (GW) and support high-performance AI workloads. The construction of this facility represents an initial investment of more than $1.5 billion and is expected to generate approximately 100 operational jobs in the initial phase, with a peak of 1,800 jobs during construction.
The data center will be Meta’s third in Texas and is part of its strategy to expand its AI infrastructure in the United States. The facility will feature systems that support both traditional servers and next-generation hardware, allowing for flexibility in the face of future technology needs.
In addition to the local economic impact, Meta plans to collaborate with businesses and organizations in El Paso. The company plans to support community initiatives, including digital skills training programs and water restoration projects, in partnership with local entities.
In environmental terms, the center will seek LEED Gold certification, meeting standards for energy efficiency, renewable energy use, water conservation, and recycling. The cooling system will operate primarily in a closed loop, reducing water consumption, and Meta has committed to restoring more water than it uses in the region through partnerships with local organizations such as DigDeep and the Texas Water Action Collaborative.
The new center adds to Meta’s presence in Texas, where it already operates two other data centers and employs more than 2,500 people in offices, research labs, and data centers across the state.
