In a bid to meet the exploding power requirements of AI and data infrastructure, Meta — the parent company of Facebook and Instagram — has inked a 20-year deal with Constellation Energy to secure a dedicated supply of nuclear power. The long-term contract will bolster output from Constellation’s Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois, which was previously slated for closure but remains operational due to state-backed subsidies.
This partnership will result in a 30-megawatt increase in the plant’s output, generating electricity equivalent to powering approximately 800,000 homes. Meta’s investment aims to ensure a clean, stable energy source that aligns with its AI ambitions and sustainability commitments.
Economic and Environmental Ripple Effects
The new deal is poised to deliver a cascade of benefits to the local economy — preserving 1,100 jobs and contributing $13.5 million in annual tax revenue. According to energy experts, the added 30 megawatts could power a city of around 30,000 people for a year. Meta’s head of global energy, Urvi Parekh, emphasized that “clean, reliable energy is necessary to continue advancing our AI ambitions.”
The shift to nuclear comes as major tech firms face a dual challenge: drastically expanding their energy needs while maintaining pledges to cut carbon emissions. Nuclear energy, despite its controversial legacy, is regaining appeal as a zero-emission, high-capacity power source that can run 24/7 — a critical factor for powering the always-on demands of AI-driven computing.
Big Tech’s Nuclear Race Intensifies
Meta’s announcement follows similar moves by other tech heavyweights. Microsoft plans to revive the long-dormant Three Mile Island plant for data center use, while Amazon and Google are investing in small modular nuclear reactors. Google has also teamed with Elementl Power to develop advanced nuclear energy projects, signaling a clear trend in tech’s energy calculus.
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This trend is backed by state support: 25 U.S. states passed laws favoring advanced nuclear energy in 2024, and over 200 new bills supporting atomic power have been introduced this year. Yet, despite these policy shifts, experts warn of infrastructure bottlenecks — the U.S. has only two new large-scale reactors built in 50 years, both delayed and over budget by billions.
Energy expert George Gross advocates further investments in the U.S. transmission grid to manage new energy inputs effectively, noting that grid spending has declined even as energy demand surges. Meta’s leap into nuclear energy is not just a technological maneuver — it reflects a broader industry pivot where Big Tech aligns its clean energy goals with AI’s ravenous power needs. As the nuclear revival unfolds, it may define the next chapter in how the digital age is powered.