The Deep View: Zuckerberg reveals Meta’s massive 5GW AI data center project. Comment: EU and particularly Ireland need to make provision as these companies return to the U.S. ChatGPT search uses 8 times as much electric than Google search; then there is the water need

Posted on July 15, 2025 by michelleclarke2015
Zuckerberg reveals Meta’s massive 5GW AI data center project
Source: Midjourney v7
Meta is constructing one of the world’s largest AI data centers in rural Louisiana, a 5-gigawatt facility called Hyperion that will span an area as large as Manhattan. But the project raises serious questions about the environmental and social costs of AI’s explosive growth.
The Richland Parish facility represents a staggering bet on computational power — enough electricity to power several million homes. CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the project as Meta races to keep pace with OpenAI and other AI developers, with a second “supercluster” called Prometheus planned for Ohio in 2026.
The scale reflects AI’s massive energy appetite. A single ChatGPT query requires nearly 10 times more electricity than a Google search. Goldman Sachs projects data centers will consume 8-9% of U.S. electricity by 2030, up from 3-4% today.
But Meta’s existing facilities already show the real-world impact:
Residents near Meta’s Georgia data center report wells running dry and water pressure dropping, with some homes left with non-functional sinks and toilets. Large data centers typically consume 200 million gallons of water annually, equivalent to 2,000 homes. New AI-focused centers could require millions of gallons per day, according to permit applications
Meta has recruited talent from OpenAI and Scale AI to lead its new “Superintelligence” unit, positioning the infrastructure as essential for breakthrough AI applications. Energy Secretary Chris Wright supports the buildout, arguing that AI converts electricity into intelligence.
Yet experts warn of broader consequences. Data centers will drive 20% of electricity demand growth in advanced economies through 2030, potentially delaying the transition to renewable energy and straining local communities that bear the environmental costs while tech giants reap the profits.

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About michelleclarke2015

Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
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