In a significant move to fuel its artificial intelligence ambitions, tech giant Meta has announced strategic partnerships with three nuclear power providers. The parent company of Facebook and Instagram is securing long-term, carbon-free energy sources to power its massive AI computing infrastructure, specifically its upcoming Prometheus supercluster.
The Nuclear Power Trio: Vistra, TerraPower, and Oklo
Meta has formalised agreements with Vistra, TerraPower, and Oklo, all of which are pioneering next-generation nuclear technologies. The company's goal is clear: to ensure a stable and substantial power supply for its energy-intensive AI development projects. This initiative directly supports the Prometheus supercluster computing system, currently under construction at a data centre in New Albany, Ohio, and slated to become operational later this year.
Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, first introduced the Prometheus project in July, describing it as the essential foundation for building "superintelligence." The new nuclear deals are expected to contribute a substantial 6.6 gigawatts of carbon-free power to the electrical grid by the year 2035.
How Meta Will Utilise The Nuclear Energy
The agreements with the three companies involve distinct approaches. With Vistra, Meta will provide funding to extend the operational life and increase the output of existing nuclear plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
For the two projects under development with TerraPower, targeted for a 2032 startup, Meta is also providing financial backing. The deal includes a crucial option for Meta to secure power rights from six additional TerraPower projects by 2035.
The third partner, Oklo, is notable for its connection to OpenAI, as CEO Sam Altman is a major investor. Meta plans to utilise Oklo's planned "advanced nuclear technology campus" in Pike County, Ohio, which could be operational as early as 2030.
Big Tech's Broader Commitment to Nuclear Energy
This move is not Meta's first step into nuclear energy. The company previously joined forces with Amazon and Google in a global commitment to triple nuclear energy production by 2050. Furthermore, in June, Meta signed a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy to source power from the Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois starting in 2027.
Meta's policy chief, Joel Kaplan, emphasised the national importance of this infrastructure, stating, "State-of-the-art data centers and AI infrastructure are essential to securing America’s position as a global leader in AI." Beyond the technological leap, Meta highlights the economic impact, claiming the projects will create thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of long-term operational positions.
This series of investments underscores a growing trend where Big Tech companies are directly investing in fundamental energy infrastructure to power their future, placing nuclear energy at the centre of their AI and sustainability roadmaps.
