$100 million solar investment in Orangeburg County will generate $8 million in local tax revenue
Project expands Silicon Ranch’s long-term renewable partnerships with both Meta and Central Electric
Facility to power Meta’s first South Carolina data center, advancing its 100% renewable energy goal
Meta, Silicon Ranch, and Central Electric Power Cooperative are teaming up to bring 100 megawatts of new solar capacity online in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. The project, set to begin operations in 2027, will support Meta’s first data center in the state and add a significant renewable resource to South Carolina’s cooperative energy network.
“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,” said Urvi Parekh, Head of Global Energy at Meta. “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.”
Silicon Ranch will fund, build, own, and operate the facility, while Central Electric will purchase the energy for its 19 member cooperatives. Aiken Electric Cooperative, one of those members, will serve Meta’s new facility under construction in the Sage Mill Industrial Park. Meta will receive all renewable energy credits generated from the solar farm.
The $100 million investment is expected to generate more than $8 million in tax revenues for Orangeburg County, supporting schools, infrastructure, and other community priorities. The project will also be managed under Silicon Ranch’s Regenerative Energy® land stewardship program, which integrates solar power with habitat restoration and agricultural land use. Nearly all equipment for the facility will be sourced from U.S. manufacturers.
RELATED ARTICLE: Meta To Buy Green Credits from Four Major US Solar Energy Projects
“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,” said Reagan Farr, Co-Founder and CEO of Silicon Ranch. “We’re honored by the confidence and trust that Meta continues to place in our team.”
Rob Hochstetler, President and CEO of Central Electric Power Cooperative, emphasized the broader benefits: “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. 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.”
“This announcement is another step forward for this transformative project,” added Gary Stooksbury, CEO of Aiken Electric Cooperative. “Aiken Electric Cooperative is proud to serve Meta, and we welcome them as a long-term partner to our community.”
Both the data center and the solar facility are slated to come online in 2027.
Follow ESG News on LinkedIn
