Meta has entered into a significant 20-year agreement to secure nuclear power as part of its efforts to meet the growing demands for artificial intelligence (AI) and other computing needs at the company. This strategic move involves a partnership with Constellation Energy to enhance the output of a nuclear plant in Illinois.
The agreement, announced on Tuesday, is part of a growing trend of partnerships between technology companies and the nuclear energy sector, driven by expanding AI applications. Details of the financial aspects of the agreement have not been disclosed.
Clinton Clean Energy Center Expansion
The Constellation’s Clinton Clean Energy Center, which was once on the brink of closure in 2017 due to financial struggles, has been revitalized thanks to Illinois legislation that established a zero-emission credit program supporting the plant until 2027. The new agreement comes into effect in June 2027, coinciding with the expiration of the state-funded program.
With Meta’s involvement, the Clinton facility’s clean energy output is set to increase by 30 megawatts. This expansion is expected to preserve 1,100 local jobs and generate $13.5 million in annual tax revenue. The plant currently provides power equivalent to that used by approximately 800,000 U.S. households. According to George Gross, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Illinois, the additional 30 megawatts could supply energy to a city with about 30,000 residents for a year.
The Need for Clean and Reliable Energy
Urvi Parekh, Meta’s head of global energy, emphasized the importance of securing clean, reliable energy to support the company’s AI advancements. As the tech industry faces increasing energy demands from AI and data centers, there is a simultaneous push to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Nuclear Energy and Tech Partnerships
The tech-nuclear collaboration is not unique to Meta. Constellation, known for owning the decommissioned Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, revealed plans in September to restart the reactor to supply power to Microsoft’s data centers. Three Mile Island, located near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was the site of the U.S.’s most significant commercial nuclear power accident in 1979.
Moreover, last fall, Amazon announced investments in small nuclear reactors, following a similar move by Google. Recently, Google disclosed investments in three advanced nuclear energy projects with Elementl Power.
Legislative Support for Nuclear Energy
U.S. states are actively positioning themselves to accommodate the tech industry’s power needs. Policymakers are considering expanding subsidies and removing regulatory hurdles to support the nuclear energy sector. In the previous year, 25 states passed legislation to advance nuclear energy, and over 200 nuclear energy-supportive bills have been introduced this year, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute.
Advanced Nuclear Reactor Designs
The industry’s focus is on advanced reactor designs, which are seen as a reliable and environmentally friendly solution to meet the electricity demands of tech giants. These reactors are expected to support the rapid growth of AI platforms.
Despite these efforts, the U.S. faces challenges in significantly increasing its nuclear production over the next 25 years. The country currently lacks commercially operating next-generation reactors, and only two new large reactors have been constructed from scratch in nearly five decades. These reactors, located in Georgia, were completed years behind schedule and at a cost exceeding $17 billion.
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