Meta Secures 20-Year Nuclear Deal for Emissions-Free Energy
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has signed a significant 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy for the Clinton Clean Energy Center. This deal, set to begin in 2027, will provide Meta with 1,121 megawatts of emissions-free nuclear energy for its regional operations. The agreement maintains existing nuclear capacity and adds 30 megawatts of incremental power to the grid.
Meta expects to finalise its selection process for new nuclear energy projects within the year. The company has launched an RFP process, targeting 1-4 gigawatts of new capacity. This move aligns Meta with other tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, which have also turned to nuclear power to meet surging AI data centre energy demands.
The agreement with Constellation Energy is expected to preserve over 1,100 local jobs and generate $13.5 million in annual tax revenue without additional ratepayer support. Meta has been linked to companies like TerraPower, founded by Bill Gates, and Pacificorp, owned by Warren Buffett, which are developing advanced nuclear reactors (Small Modular Reactors) to ensure steady, carbon-free energy supply for AI data centers. Challenges for nuclear partnerships include regulatory hurdles, public perception, significant capital requirements, and long development timelines. Despite these, Meta has received over 50 qualified submissions from utilities, developers, and nuclear technology manufacturers across more than 20 states.
Meta's nuclear energy procurement is a strategic move to secure reliable, long-term, and emissions-free power for its operations. The company's commitment to nuclear energy is expected to provide long-term revenue streams for nuclear power and reliable baseload power for Meta's data centres.
