Meta has signed large-scale nuclear energy deals, sourcing power from upgraded existing plants and partnering with advanced nuclear startups, to supply its expanding AI data centers with reliable, carbon-free electricity. This move supports Meta’s sustainability goals by ensuring a stable, clean energy supply for its operations, despite the higher costs compared to solar and battery alternatives.
Meta has signed major multi-gigawatt nuclear energy deals to power its rapidly expanding AI data centers. The scale of these deals is enormous—potentially enough electricity to power five million homes. Meta will source energy from existing Vistra nuclear power plants in Ohio, which will be upgraded, as well as from other plants in Pennsylvania. These upgrades will provide immediate increases in nuclear power capacity for Meta’s operations.
Looking to the future, Meta has also partnered with two advanced nuclear startups, TerraPower and Oklo. Both companies are developing new nuclear technologies, specifically small modular reactors. While these projects are still in the planning and construction phases, Meta has agreements to purchase significant amounts of power from them once they come online. TerraPower, for example, is expected to build at least two new reactors initially, with the possibility of expanding to a dozen or more in the coming years.
The financial terms of these deals have not been publicly disclosed, but industry estimates suggest that Meta could be paying around $600 million per gigawatt per year for nuclear power. This represents a substantial investment, especially compared to the lower costs and faster deployment of solar and battery storage solutions. However, Meta is willing to pay a premium for nuclear energy due to its unique advantages.
The primary benefit of nuclear power for Meta is its ability to provide clean, reliable energy around the clock. Unlike solar power, which is intermittent and dependent on weather conditions, nuclear plants operate continuously. This is crucial for Meta’s data centers, which require a constant and stable power supply to support AI workloads and other operations.
Meta’s commitment to nuclear energy also helps the company meet its ambitious carbon reduction goals. While some of its data centers, such as a major project in Louisiana, are still powered primarily by natural gas (a fossil fuel), the new nuclear deals allow Meta to claim significant progress toward its sustainability targets. By powering its Ohio data center entirely with nuclear energy, Meta can demonstrate its dedication to reducing carbon emissions and leading the tech industry in clean energy adoption.