- 80 MW Walker Solar project in Pennsylvania to supply 100% of output to Meta under long term PPA
- Supports Meta’s 100% clean energy commitment while adding incremental generation to the PJM Interconnection
- Project targets operations by end of 2026, boosting regional grid capacity and local economic activity
MN8 Energy has signed a long term power purchase agreement with Meta for the full output of its 80 megawatt Walker Solar Project, marking the first agreement between the two companies and adding fresh renewable capacity to the PJM Interconnection grid.
Under the deal, Meta will purchase 100 percent of the offtake generated by the Pennsylvania based project, reinforcing its strategy of matching operations with 100 percent clean and renewable energy while contributing incremental generation to the U.S. grid.
The Walker Solar project is currently under development and is expected to begin operations by the end of 2026.
Data Centers, AI And Grid Pressure
The agreement comes as electricity demand in the United States is reshaped by the rapid buildout of data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure. Hyperscale operators are competing for reliable, domestic power sources that can meet rising load requirements while satisfying investor and regulatory scrutiny around emissions and grid impact.
“As demand for data centers and artificial intelligence accelerates, access to reliable, domestic energy has never been more critical,” said Moe Hanifi, SVP, MN8 Energy. “We’re proud to partner with Meta on a long-term basis and to build the domestic energy infrastructure needed to power the next generation of digital innovation.”
For Meta, the transaction strengthens its clean energy procurement strategy in a region where grid decarbonization remains uneven and fossil generation continues to play a significant role. By contracting directly for new solar capacity, the company helps expand supply rather than simply reallocating existing renewable output.
“We are thrilled to partner with MN8 Energy to bring new renewable energy to Pennsylvania and help support our operations with 100% clean energy,” said Urvi Parekh, Director of Global Energy, Meta.
RELATED ARTICLE: Meta Invests $1 Billion in New AI Data Center in Wisconsin
Strengthening PJM’s Energy Mix
The Walker Solar facility will feed power into the PJM Interconnection, the largest wholesale electricity market in the United States, serving more than 65 million people across 13 states and the District of Columbia. PJM has faced mounting pressure from regulators and state governments to balance reliability, affordability, and decarbonization as coal and older thermal assets retire.
Utility scale projects such as Walker Solar are increasingly viewed as part of the solution to looming capacity constraints. By adding new generation within PJM’s footprint, the project contributes to system resilience and helps offset anticipated load growth from electrification and digital infrastructure.
MN8 Energy, headquartered in New York, has positioned itself as a developer and operator of renewable energy and battery storage assets designed to meet corporate and utility demand for large scale, grid connected projects. The Meta agreement reinforces its role in delivering contracted infrastructure that underpins corporate clean energy claims and supports regional grid stability.
Local Economic And Governance Implications
Beyond corporate procurement goals, the project carries local governance and economic dimensions. According to MN8 Energy, Walker Solar will create construction and operations jobs in Juniata County, generate tax revenue, and strengthen central Pennsylvania’s energy infrastructure. In an era when state and local authorities are weighing the tradeoffs of data center expansion, visible community benefits are increasingly part of the political equation.
Projects like Walker Solar also align with broader federal and state priorities aimed at expanding domestic energy production and accelerating renewable deployment. Long term PPAs between developers and large corporates reduce financing risk, enabling projects to reach final investment decision in a tighter capital environment.
For investors and executives, the takeaway is clear. The intersection of AI driven electricity demand, corporate net zero commitments, and regional grid constraints is reshaping power markets. Long term contracts tied to new build renewable assets are becoming a central instrument for managing both carbon exposure and operational risk.
As U.S. electricity demand enters a new growth cycle, agreements such as this one illustrate how private capital and corporate procurement are stepping into roles traditionally occupied by utilities and state planners. The pace and scale of such deals will play a defining role in determining whether grid expansion keeps up with digital transformation and climate ambition alike.
Follow ESG News on LinkedIn
The post Meta, MN8 Energy Sign 80 MW Solar PPA To Power U.S. Data Centers appeared first on ESG News.
