Meta Platforms’ shares steadied in early trading after reports revealed the company is assembling a massive US$13 billion financing package to develop a large-scale data center in El Paso, Texas. The deal, which is expected to be primarily funded through debt, underscores how aggressively Big Tech is scaling artificial intelligence infrastructure despite rising capital intensity concerns.
The financing structure is being led by major Wall Street lenders Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase, with a smaller portion expected to come from equity investors. The arrangement reflects a growing trend among large technology firms to separate infrastructure-heavy AI investments from traditional balance-sheet debt exposure.
While investors initially reacted cautiously to the scale of the commitment, Meta stock remained largely stable, suggesting the market is increasingly accustomed to high-cost AI expansion strategies from hyperscalers.
The El Paso project highlights a broader shift in how technology companies are financing long-term infrastructure. Rather than relying solely on internal cash flow, firms like Meta are increasingly tapping structured debt and joint ventures to fund data center expansion tied to AI workloads.
This approach allows companies to preserve liquidity while still aggressively scaling compute capacity needed for generative AI models, cloud services, and advanced machine learning systems. However, it also raises questions about long-term leverage exposure, especially as interest rates remain elevated.
Analysts note that Meta’s financing model mirrors similar arrangements in other states, where infrastructure assets are partially spun into separate investment vehicles to optimize capital efficiency and risk distribution.
Beyond financial engineering, the El Paso data center has sparked attention due to its scale and resource demands. Reports indicate the facility will require a new 366-megawatt natural gas power plant to meet electricity needs, according to regulatory filings from local utilities.
Meta is working on a financing package for a data center in El Paso, Texas, that could total roughly $13 billion, underscoring Big Tech’s growing reliance on debt to bankroll the infrastructure behind the AI boom. https://t.co/36UvPvu6Ai
— Bloomberg (@business) May 4, 2026
Additionally, Meta is expected to shoulder initial power delivery costs during a transition period lasting between one and five years. Afterward, regulators may consider shifting some infrastructure expenses into consumer utility rates pending approval from Texas authorities.
The project also benefits from substantial public incentives, including an estimated 80% property tax rebate under a local economic development agreement. Combined city and county incentives could total roughly US$550 million across multiple phases of development.
As with many large-scale AI infrastructure projects, environmental considerations are becoming a key part of the discussion. At full capacity, the El Paso data center could consume up to 2.5 million gallons of water per day, roughly equivalent to the daily usage of more than 12,000 homes.
Local officials argue the project will bring jobs and long-term economic benefits, but critics point to the strain on water and energy systems in already resource-sensitive regions. The addition of a dedicated natural gas facility has further intensified debate over sustainability trade-offs in the AI buildout race.
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