Meta Expands Commitment to Nuclear Energy with New Agreements
Meta has forged three significant agreements to source nuclear energy for its artificial intelligence infrastructure and the development of the Prometheus supercluster, a powerful 1-gigawatt data center in Ohio. By collaborating with energy leaders Vistra, TerraPower, and Oklo, the tech giant aims to secure a total generation capacity of approximately 6.6 gigawatts by 2035.
A noteworthy aspect of Meta’s partnership with TerraPower involves financing the construction of two new reactors, expected to generate up to 690 megawatts each as early as 2032. Additionally, this deal grants Meta access to energy from six other reactors, potentially contributing another 2.1 gigawatts to its operations by 2035. This power will be derived from TerraPower’s innovative “Natrium” reactors, which utilize sodium for cooling instead of traditional water methods.
In collaboration with Oklo, Meta anticipates bringing 1.2 gigawatts of nuclear energy online by 2030. This agreement not only paves the way for multiple Oklo reactors but is also projected to create thousands of construction and job opportunities in Ohio. Notable investor Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, holds over 4 percent of Oklo, further underscoring the partnership’s significance.
Meta’s agreement with Vistra aims to enhance the longevity and efficiency of existing nuclear facilities. Through these long-term 20-year contracts, Meta plans to acquire more than 2.1 gigawatts of electricity from established Vistra plants in Ohio, in addition to supporting increased capacity at those locations and another site in Pennsylvania. Vistra projects that an additional 433 megawatts will be operational by the early 2030s.
As tech companies increasingly pivot toward sustainable energy solutions, Meta’s investments in nuclear power reflect a broader industry trend. Last year, Meta secured a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy for nuclear energy, while Microsoft is set to partner with the Three Mile Island facility, making it the exclusive customer for a similar long-term deal.
Key Points:
– Meta’s agreements aim for 6.6 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2035.
– Partnership with TerraPower includes new reactor developments and access to additional energy.
– Collaboration with Oklo expected to create thousands of jobs in Ohio.
– Vistra agreement focused on enhancing existing nuclear plant capabilities.
– Reflects a growing trend in the tech industry towards sustainable energy solutions.
