Meta drops out of a major clean energy pact as its natural gas buildout accelerates

Meta is exiting the RE100 corporate renewable energy initiative after a decade, a move that underscores the company’s escalating reliance on natural gas to power its AI data centers. The departure comes as Meta has funded at least 10 gas plants tied to its Hyperion data center buildout, with combined capacity of 7.5 gigawatts—enough to power South Dakota and more. While Meta says it remains committed to matching electricity use with 100% clean and renewable energy, critics argue the company’s fossil-fuel expansion clashes with that claim. The article highlights growing scrutiny of how tech giants define “clean energy” as they race to secure power for AI infrastructure. Market-wise, the story is more about reputational and ESG pressure than immediate financial impact, though it could influence investor perception of Meta’s climate strategy and long-term power costs.