“Meta Goes Nuclear”: 20-Year Atomic Energy Deal Will Power AI Expansion While Rescuing a Shuttered Illinois Plant From Closure

In an unprecedented move, Meta has secured a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy to harness nuclear power for its AI data centers, ensuring the continued operation of the Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois. This deal not only guarantees the plant’s operation beyond 2027 but also marks Meta’s first foray into long-term nuclear power procurement. As the demand for electricity surges due to AI advancements, this agreement underscores Meta’s commitment to achieving 100% clean energy usage. This strategic decision highlights the tech giant’s investment in sustainable energy solutions, even as the financial intricacies of the deal remain undisclosed.

Lifeline for Once-Endangered Nuclear Plant

The Clinton Clean Energy Center, which previously faced the threat of closure due to financial challenges, has now found a new lease on life through its partnership with Meta. This agreement not only ensures the plant’s operation through 2047 but also hinges on obtaining a renewed license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, for which Constellation applied last year. Meta emphasized the importance of this agreement in their official statement, highlighting how it will keep a critical energy source online to meet increasing energy demands.

With the addition of 30 megawatts to Clinton’s existing 1,121 megawatt capacity, the deal is a significant boost for the plant. Moreover, the agreement preserves 1,100 local jobs and contributes a substantial $13.5 million annually in tax revenue. This move is not just about energy but also about sustaining the community around the plant, offering a lifeline to the region’s economy.

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Tech Giants Rush to Secure Clean Energy

In the face of escalating energy demands driven by AI, major tech firms like Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are increasingly turning to nuclear energy. This trend underscores a broader industry shift towards sustainable power sources. Notably, Constellation Energy had previously partnered with Microsoft to restart a reactor at the Three Mile Island plant, showcasing the growing reliance on nuclear power amongst tech giants.

Amazon and Google have also made significant investments in small modular reactors and advanced nuclear projects, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to clean energy. According to Urvi Parekh, Meta’s head of global energy, utilities are keen on ensuring that power plants currently in operation remain functional. This sentiment echoes across the tech industry, highlighting a shared drive towards energy certainty and sustainability.

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Beyond One Plant: Meta Eyes Gigawatt-Scale Nuclear Growth

Meta’s agreement with Clinton is just one aspect of a larger ambition to scale nuclear energy use. The company has initiated a nuclear request for proposals (RFP) process, aiming to catalyze between 1 to 4 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity. This initiative has garnered significant interest, with over 50 qualified submissions from developers, utilities, and technology firms spanning 20 states.

Through this RFP process, Meta seeks to expedite projects that offer execution certainty, thereby supporting its long-term data center needs. Meta remarked, “We are creating a demand signal for nuclear,” highlighting the necessity for existing units to remain operational and for new developments to progress. This proactive approach signifies Meta’s strategic vision in shaping a sustainable energy future.

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Industry Momentum

The Meta deal emerges against a backdrop of increasing policy support for advanced nuclear energy in the U.S. Over the past year, 25 states have enacted laws to bolster nuclear development, and 2025 alone has seen the introduction of more than 200 supportive bills. The energy sector is responding in kind, with companies like Constellation, Vistra, and NRG Energy announcing major power deals to meet the anticipated demands from AI infrastructure.

Market analysts, such as Nicholas Amicucci from Evercore ISI, view the Meta deal as a potential catalyst for similar agreements across the tech industry. He described it as the “first of many,” suggesting a model for other firms to follow in supporting existing nuclear plants. The immediate market reaction was positive, with Constellation Energy’s shares rising by 5.7% following the announcement, reflecting investor confidence in this new direction.

As Meta ventures into nuclear energy to power its AI ambitions, the tech industry stands on the brink of a significant transformation. This strategic embrace of nuclear power not only supports Meta’s clean energy goals but also sets a precedent for sustainable innovation. With the industry collectively moving towards greener solutions, the question arises: How will these developments shape the future landscape of energy consumption and technological advancement?

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