ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) – A new partnership in the Midlands is aimed at powering Facebook parent company Meta’s new data center in South Carolina.
Silicon Ranch and Central Electric Power Cooperative announced this week that they’ll work together on a 100-megawatt solar facility. It’s set to be a $100 million capital investment in Orangeburg County and is expected to generate more than $8 million in additional tax revenues, which will be allocated toward local infrastructure, schools, and other community priorities.
The goal of the solar farm is to support Meta’s facility in Aiken County.
“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,” Rob Hochstelter, President and CEO of Central Electric Power Cooperative, said in a statement. “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.”
Per the terms of the agreement, Silicon Ranch will fund, build, own and operate the new facility in coordination with Santee Cooper. Central will then purchase energy from the facility as part of its statewide power portfolio that benefits all of the other 19 member energy cooperatives.
“We’re honored by the confidence and trust that Meta continues to place in our team to execute on their behalf and grateful to be part of this compelling journey with them while also expanding our meaningful relationship with Central with this additional investment in the state,” Reagan Farr, co-founder and CEO of Silicon Ranch, said in a statement.
Officials also said that because of its investment, Meta will receive all of the renewable energy credits associated with the facility’s energy.
The new solar farm and the Meta facility are both expected to be online in 2027.
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