What are the specific RE100 technical criteria Meta can no longer meet?

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Meta No Longer Meets RE100 Technical Criteria Due to New Gas Power Investments

Meta has withdrawn from the RE100 initiative, a global commitment by companies to source 100% renewable electricity, because it can no longer meet the programme's technical criteria. This withdrawal stems from Meta's recent investments in new natural gas power generation, which conflicts with the stringent requirements for renewable energy sourcing. The Climate Group, which runs RE100, confirmed that Meta's current practices no longer align with the initiative's standards.
New Gas Power Investments Contravene RE100 Standards

The RE100 initiative mandates that its members source electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Meta's decision to invest in and secure power from new natural gas plants, such as those planned to support its Hyperion data centre in Louisiana, directly violates the spirit and technical definitions of renewable energy under RE100. While natural gas is often considered a transitional fuel, the initiative's criteria evidently do not permit the addition of new fossil fuel infrastructure as part of a company's renewable energy strategy.
Annualised Clean Energy Goal Insufficient for RE100

Meta has stated that it continues to meet its goal of matching its electricity consumption with 100% clean energy on an annualised basis since 2020 through long-term power purchase agreements with renewable providers. However, The Climate Group has indicated that this annualised accounting is no longer sufficient to satisfy the technical criteria of RE100. The initiative appears to require a more direct and immediate alignment with renewable generation, rather than relying on offsets or annual balancing that may include fossil fuel sources.
Broader Industry Trends and Similar Corporate Actions

Meta's departure from RE100 is not an isolated event within the tech industry. Other major technology companies, including Microsoft and Google, have also been reported to be entering into agreements for natural gas electricity supply to their data centres. This trend suggests a broader challenge faced by the tech sector in meeting escalating power demands for data centres while adhering to the strictest interpretations of renewable energy commitments. The reliance on natural gas, despite its lower emissions compared to other fossil fuels, continues to be a point of contention regarding genuine progress towards a fully renewable energy future.

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What are the specific RE100 technical criteria Meta can no longer meet?

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