Facebook has announced plans to build a massive 90,116 square metre data centre in centra Virginia.
The $750 million data centre will be located in the White Oak Technology Park in Henrico County and incorporate an energy-efficient design -- conserving energy by incorporating outdoor air and “direct evaporative cooling systems.”
The data centre will bring more than $1 billion of new investment and is thousands of construction jobs to the region.
[Related reading: Construction Under Way On $150 Million Fyshwick Data Centre]
"I am so pleased to see Facebook invest in our community, bringing more than 100 tech job opportunities for the hardworking people of the Commonwealth," Virginian Congressman Donald McEachin said.
"Not only will Facebook bring more tech jobs to the fourth Congressional District, but this project will include solar panels to power this facility with 100 per cent renewable energy.
Secretary of Commerce and Trade Todd Haymore said Facebook’s decision to locate its newest data centre operation in Henrico County was a tremendous economic win.
“Virginia's information technology sector is booming, with nearly $12 billion in capital investment over the past decade and more than 650 data processing, hosting, and related establishments currently employing over 13,500 Virginians," he said.
"Facebook, with more than two billion monthly users, is a powerful addition to the sector, and I commend the entire team who helped bring this company to the Commonwealth.”
The demand for corporate data storage and retrieval is forecast to grow by 800 per cent over the next five years.
The project was secured through a new renewable energy tariff called Schedule RF, designed by Dominion Energy Virginia and Facebook. The tariff will allow large energy users, such as Facebook, to meet their needs through the addition of renewable energy sources.
Facebook says it is committed to powering its business with 100 percent "clean and renewable energy."