A $100 million solar project in South Carolina will provide clean energy and economic advantages to Orangeburg County while also powering Meta's first data center in the state. The installation of a 100-megawatt solar facility, which represents a major increase in the area's renewable infrastructure, has been announced by Meta, Silicon Ranch, and Central Electric Power Cooperative. The initiative, which is expected to start in 2027, highlights the increasing importance of collaboration between technology firms, renewable energy developers, and local cooperatives in promoting energy transition objectives.

The new facility will not only provide renewable energy to Meta's data center, which is currently being built in the Sage Mill Industrial Park, but it will also connect to South Carolina's cooperative energy system, benefiting communities across the state. The solar farm will be financed, constructed, owned, and managed by Silicon Ranch, a longtime Meta partner. On behalf of its 19 member cooperatives, one of which is Aiken Electric Cooperative, which is responsible for providing direct service to Meta's facility, Central Electric Power Cooperative will acquire the energy. According to the agreement, Meta will be able to continue working toward its goal of using 100% renewable energy since it will get all renewable energy credits produced by the project.

The significance of this accomplishment for Meta's energy goals was highlighted by Urvi Parekh, the company's head of global energy. "As Meta progresses construction on our data center in South Carolina, we are pleased to join our new utility partners Central and Aiken Electric Cooperative and our long-term trusted partner Silicon Ranch to announce this project together," Parekh said. "We're grateful to Central for supporting our energy goals in South Carolina and thrilled to expand our relationship with Silicon Ranch, who shares our commitment to have a positive impact in the communities where we locate."

The Regenerative Energy® land stewardship program from Silicon Ranch will be used to build the project. This program integrates solar development with community co-benefits, sustainable agriculture, and habitat restoration. The goal of the approach is to make sure that renewable projects support ecological and community resilience as well as energy transition. The majority of the facility's equipment will come from U.S. producers, which emphasizes its significance in enhancing the infrastructure for clean energy and domestic supply chains.

The project is anticipated to have a considerable economic effect. Over its lifetime, the $100 million investment is expected to produce over $8 million in tax income for Orangeburg County. In addition to their environmental advantages, those funds will bolster schools, infrastructure, and other community needs, strengthening the position of clean energy projects as drivers of local development.

Reagan Farr, Co-Founder and CEO of Silicon Ranch, emphasized the investment's far-reaching consequences. "Domestic infrastructure and access to energy are among the most critical factors for economic development, and Silicon Ranch is pleased to partner with Central to help deliver the power generation that Meta requires in support of its significant investment in South Carolina," he stated. "We're honored by the confidence and trust that Meta continues to place in our team."

The initiative is a crucial step towards satisfying the increasing energy demands in South Carolina for the Central Electric Power Cooperative, which serves as the wholesale power provider for the state's 19 electric cooperatives. The cooperative's goal, according to President and CEO Rob Hochstetler, is to provide communities with secure, dependable, and affordable electricity. "As the power supplier for South Carolina's 19 electric cooperatives, Central is laser-focused on meeting our state's growing energy demands at competitive prices and in a safe and responsible manner," Hochstetler said. "Our expanded partnership with Silicon Ranch supports our ability to deliver toward this mission, and we are thrilled to help welcome Meta to South Carolina."

Aiken Electric Cooperative, which will directly serve Meta's new facility, also applauded the announcement. Gary Stooksbury, CEO of Aiken Electric Cooperative, characterized the collaboration as a significant advancement for both the community and the economy. "This announcement is another step forward for this transformative project," he said. "Aiken Electric Cooperative is proud to serve Meta, and we welcome them as a long-term partner to our community."

The solar farm not only satisfies Meta's renewable energy requirements but also represents a broader trend in South Carolina toward integrating clean energy into the state's electricity system while making sure local communities benefit. Unlike conventional corporate power purchase agreements, the cooperative model enables the benefits of big projects to spread across both rural and urban populations.

The Orangeburg solar plant and Meta's South Carolina data center are both scheduled to launch in 2027, representing a dual milestone in the state's digital infrastructure and clean energy. Partnerships like this one demonstrate how renewable energy and economic development can go hand in hand, establishing a blueprint for future projects throughout the country as global technology corporations like Meta increase their physical presence.