Facebook Says Its New Facility In Gallatin Will Be Greener, More Efficient Than Previous Data Centers

The speculation has proven true: Facebook is building a massive data center in Gallatin’s industrial park. The announcement Wednesday morning is three years in the works.

The facility will be nearly 1 million square feet and is aiming for LEED Gold certification — the second-highest tier — once completed in 2023.

Data centers are notorious for their electricity consumption. A 2016 federal report found that they account for nearly 2% of the entire country’s energy usage.

But the company says this will be among the most technologically advanced of its 17 centers worldwide, using more renewable energy and far less water.

“We’re going to be building one of the most advanced, energy-efficient data centers in the world in Gallatin,” VP of Data Center Strategy Rachel Peterson said in a promotional video shared on the Gallatin Data Center page on Facebook. “It’s going to be supported by 100% renewable energy.”

“Supported by” — that doesn’t mean that all of the energy used at the center will be renewable.

The rate is calculated annually, says Bobby Hollis, Facebook’s director of global energy, environment and site selection.

That means some electricity will come from non-renewable sources. But the company will then add an equal amount of renewable to the power grid to balance it out. Part of that renewable energy will come from two new solar projects in Lincoln and Madison counties, which the company will pay for in its electric bill.

Plus, Facebook says it’s found a way to use 80% less water than typical data centers, by using outside air to cool the building when it’s not too hot.

“We actually look for locations where can take advantage of the local climate and the surroundings as much as possible,” Hollis says, adding that Gallatin’s location would allow Facebook to do just that.

Hollis says the Gallatin center is “a long time coming.” Facebook first considered the site back in 2017, but decided to first open a center in Huntsville, Ala. The company always hoped to come back to Middle Tennessee, though.

The project is valued over $800 million and could employ 1,100 people during construction. Ultimately, the center will operate with about 100 employees, including electricians, logistics staff and security.

“We’re looking for the places that have the right infrastructure, that really have a shovel-ready site and project for us, has a great local talent pool and great local stakeholders and partners,” he says. “Tennessee presented a great opportunity for us.”

Gov. Bill Lee also celebrated the announcement Wednesday.

“It is a testament to the quality of our business environment and the competitive spirit of our state that in this economy we are able to attract one of the world’s largest companies,” he said in statement. “We welcome Facebook to Tennessee, and we are excited about the investment, quality jobs and economic opportunity they will bring to Gallatin.”

This story was updated at 3:07 p.m.