Meta partners with Sage Geosystems for geothermal power to fuel data centres

Meta and Sage Geosystems have announced a pioneering agreement to expand geothermal power generation in the US.

The partnership, unveiled at the US Department of Energy’s Catalyzing Next Generation Geothermal Development Workshop, aims to deliver up to 150 megawatts of new geothermal baseload power to support Meta’s data centre growth.

This collaboration marks the first use of next-generation geothermal power east of the Rocky Mountains, demonstrating the potential for geothermal energy as a viable renewable source across the country. Sage Geosystems will utilise its proprietary Geopressured Geothermal System (GGS) to provide carbon-free power for Meta’s data centres.

Urvi Parekh, head of renewable energy at Meta, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Meta thanks the Department of Energy’s leadership on promoting and supporting the exploration of new energy sources like geothermal. That leadership supports Meta’s goal to enable the addition of reliable, affordable, and carbon-free power to the grid with this geothermal energy deal.”

The innovative technology developed by Sage Geosystems, which was validated in the field in early 2022, represents a significant advancement in the clean energy sector. It showcases the ability to harness geothermal energy in diverse locations, promising a new era of reliable, sustainable baseload power and enhanced grid stability.

Cindy Taff, chief executive officer of Sage Geosystems, highlighted the importance of public-private collaboration in driving the clean energy transition. She remarked, “We are thrilled to be at the forefront of the next generation of geothermal technology and applaud the DOE for supporting the commercialisation of innovation solutions.”

The US Energy Deputy Secretary David Turk emphasised the significance of geothermal energy in meeting the growing demand for clean, firm power. He stated, “The Administration views this increased demand as a huge opportunity to add more clean, firm power to the grid and geothermal energy is a game-changer as we work to grow our clean power supply.”

This partnership comes at a crucial time as Meta continues to invest heavily in infrastructure to support its push into artificial intelligence. The company’s capital expenditure for 2024 is forecast to be between $37 billion and $40 billion, with infrastructure costs expected to be a significant driver of expense growth in 2025.

The first phase of this innovative project is aimed to be online and operational by 2027. While the exact location is yet to be determined, the companies have confirmed it will be east of the Rocky Mountains.