Data Center Census

Holly Ridge, Richland Parish, LA

Meta Hyperion

Also known as Richland Parish Data Center, Hyperion

Under constructionExpanded to 5 GW / $50B in July 2026; LPSC final vote on seven additional Entergy gas plants expected Dec. 2026
  1. Rumored
  2. Proposed
  3. Approved
  4. Under construction
  5. Operating

Meta's Hyperion AI data center campus near Holly Ridge in Richland Parish, Louisiana, which Meta said in July 2026 will reach 5 GW of compute capacity and more than $50 billion in investment. Entergy Louisiana received approval in 2025 for three gas plants to serve it and is seeking fast-tracked approval of seven more. Construction began after a December 2024 groundbreaking; local reporting cites a 2030 operational target and resident concerns over housing costs and utility rates.

Key facts

Size & schedule

Planned capacity5 GW [1]
Compute capacity per Meta; expanded from original 2 GW
Site size3,650 acres [2]
Original 2,250 acres plus 1,400 acres purchased at end of 2025
Floor area4 million sq ft [2]
Stated investment$50 billion [1]
Over $50 billion in the Richland Parish region per Meta (July 2026); a May 2026 report cited $27 billion
Permanent jobs (promised)1,000 [1]
Operational roles once completed, per Meta
Construction jobs7,500 [1]
Peak, per Meta
Target completion2030 [3]

Power

UtilityEntergy Louisiana [1]
Power supplyEntergy gas generation: three combined-cycle plants (~3,000 MW) approved Aug. 2025, plus seven more gas plants, grid batteries and nuclear uprates proposed in 2026 [4]
Utility commission caseLPSC Docket U-37425 (three combined-cycle gas plants and transmission, approved Aug. 20, 2025) [6]
Source excerpt
“DOCKET NO. U-37425 ... On August 20, 2025, the Louisiana Public Service Commission ("LPSC" or "Commission") voted to approve the application filed by Entergy Louisiana, LLC ("ELL" or "Company") as modified by a contested settlement agreement.”
Utility commission caseLPSC Docket U-37882 (additional generation and transmission for the data center; set for Dec. 16, 2026 commission meeting) [7]
Source excerpt
“The dispute is unfolding in LPSC Docket U-37882, Entergy's latest request for approval of new generation and transmission resources for Meta's data center in Richland Parish.”

Money & incentives

Tax incentivesSales tax rebate on certain data center equipment under Louisiana's Data Center Sales Tax Rebate Act, plus PILOT agreement [8]
Source excerpt
“Because of the recently passed Data center Sales Tax Rebate Act, sales tax on certain data center equipment will be rebated.”
Payments / community benefitsPILOT payment of 20% to 40% of total ad valorem taxes, based on certified new capital investment; state land lease rent of $732,000 annually for 30-year primary term [8]
Source excerpt
“Depending on the investment that is made in a given period, the PILOT amount will be 20% to 40% of the total ad valorem. ... For the primary term, the rent to LED will be $732,000 annually.”

Figures are as stated by the cited source. Where sources disagree, each figure is shown.

Upcoming hearings

  • Dec 2026 — Louisiana Public Service Commission: Final vote on Entergy Louisiana's seven-gas-plant proposal under the 'Lightning Initiative' fast-track process (exact date not announced) [5]

Timeline

  1. Groundbreaking [1]

  2. Meta buys an additional 1,400 acres (end of 2025) [2]

  3. LPSC approves Entergy Louisiana's three combined-cycle gas plants (~3,000 MW) and transmission for the data center [4]

  4. Alliance for Affordable Energy and Union of Concerned Scientists ask the LPSC to investigate Meta's new financing arrangement for Hyperion and review Entergy's prudence [6]

  5. LPSC declines to investigate Meta's financing arrangement with Blue Owl Capital for the data center [9]

  6. LPSC votes 4-1 to fast-track Entergy's plan for seven new gas plants for the campus [5]

  7. Meta announces expansion to 5 GW and more than $50 billion investment [1]

  8. LPSC votes 3-1 to reject an administrative law judge's recommendation to make Meta job and power-demand information available through subpoenas [10]

Issues raised

  • Residents report sharply rising rents, traffic and displacement concerns, water quality and utility-rate worries [3]
  • Alliance for Affordable Energy says the fast-track process may expose ratepayers to long-term risk; Rep. Alaina DiLaura questioned whether adequate due diligence is possible [5]

Sources

  1. Deepening our investment in Richland Parish, Louisiana
    Meta · Jul 13, 2026 · company
  2. Meta expands data center campus in Richland Parish, Louisiana, to 5GW & $50bn
    DatacenterDynamics · Jul 13, 2026 · news
  3. Meta's $27 billion AI data center is transforming rural Louisiana
    FOX 8 WVUE · May 12, 2026 · news
  4. Entergy Louisiana receives LPSC approval for major infrastructure investments to support Meta's data center and improve reliability
    Entergy · Aug 20, 2025 · utility
  5. LPSC approves request by Entergy Louisiana to fast-track gas power plant construction plan for Meta's Richland Parish data center
    Louisiana Radio Network · Apr 16, 2026 · news
  6. Motion for Investigation of the New Financial Arrangement of Meta Platforms, LLC Associated with the Hyperion Data Center Project in Richland Parish (LPSC Docket No. U-37425)
    Alliance for Affordable Energy and Union of Concerned Scientists (Earthjustice) · Jan 14, 2026 · other
  7. Entergy eases confidentiality restrictions in Meta power case
    American Press · Sep 11, 2026 · news
  8. Meta AI center in north Louisiana gets help from the state
    Shreveport-Bossier Advocate · Dec 31, 2024 · news
  9. Louisiana Won't Investigate Risky Meta Data Center Financing
    Union of Concerned Scientists · Feb 25, 2026 · other
  10. Louisiana PSC kills ruling that would force Meta to turn over key data center information
    WWNO · Aug 12, 2026 · news