The Power Play: Meta Goes All-In on Nuclear Energy for the Digital Future
The race to build the next generation of computing infrastructure just got a whole lot more nuclear. Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has just made a monumental commitment to atomic energy, signing a series of multi-gigawatt deals that will make it the biggest purchaser of nuclear power among major technology companies.
This isn’t a small pivot; it’s a massive power play. The combined capacity of these agreements could ultimately exceed 6 gigawatts of energy by 2035, which is enough electricity to supply a major city—think around five million households. The reason? The exponential thirst for electricity from its burgeoning data centers, particularly those fueling increasingly sophisticated applications.
As Meta’s Head of Global Energy, Urvi Parekh, put it, “We are investing in nuclear energy because it provides clean, reliable power that is essential for advancing our ambitions.” The tech giant is scrambling to secure a “baseload” power source—energy that can be delivered consistently, twenty-four hours a day, unlike intermittent renewables like solar and wind. With US electricity consumption projected to surge by at least 30% by 2030, largely driven by data centers, finding firm power is now a critical bottleneck for the entire technology sector.
The company has structured its nuclear strategy across three key fronts, blending existing infrastructure with cutting-edge future technology.
First, Meta struck a two-decade agreement with Vistra Corp., securing access to 2.6 gigawatts of power from three existing nuclear facilities: the Perry and Davis-Besse plants in Ohio, and the Beaver Valley facility in Pennsylvania. This move provides immediate, large-scale power, with purchases beginning in late 2026. The funding from Meta will also help extend the operational lifespans of these plants, securing essential power for the local grid.
Second, the company is looking to the future with deals focused on advanced small modular reactors, or SMRs. It announced a partnership with Oklo Inc., a company backed by tech investor Sam Altman, to help finance and advance the construction of a 1.2-gigawatt advanced nuclear campus in Pike County, Ohio. The first of these newer, more flexible reactors is targeted to be operational as early as 2030.
Finally, Meta is providing funding to TerraPower LLC, the nuclear venture supported by Bill Gates. This agreement aims to develop up to eight of TerraPower’s Natrium reactor and energy storage systems, which could provide up to 2.8 gigawatts of carbon-free energy by 2035. The first two units, capable of 690 megawatts, could be delivering power by 2032.
The new energy capacity is directly tied to massive infrastructure initiatives, including the “Prometheus” supercluster in New Albany, Ohio, which is a 1-gigawatt data center cluster expected to come online this year. These sweeping arrangements follow an earlier deal with Constellation Energy, demonstrating a clear and aggressive long-term strategy. By betting on the atom, Meta is attempting to solidify its energy supply and maintain its competitive edge in the evolving digital landscape, cementing its commitment to a future powered by reliable, round-the-clock clean energy.