Meta Signs Nuclear Power Deals Worth Over 6 GW to Fuel Data Center Growth
Meta has announced three major nuclear energy agreements aimed at supplying its growing network of data centers with long-term, reliable electricity. The deals involve two nuclear startups and one established U.S. energy provider, reflecting Meta’s push to secure stable power as demand from data centers continues to rise.
The agreements were signed with Oklo, TerraPower, and Vistra, combining both next-generation nuclear technology and existing nuclear facilities. Together, the deals represent more than 6 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity that will be used to support Meta’s expanding digital infrastructure in the United States.
Why Meta Is Turning to Nuclear Energy
Nuclear power has become an increasingly attractive option for large technology companies. Unlike solar or wind, nuclear energy can supply electricity around the clock, making it well suited for data centers that operate continuously.
As Meta continues to scale its data center operations, especially to support AI-driven services and cloud platforms, it needs energy sources that are both dependable and capable of delivering power at a large scale. Nuclear energy meets those needs, while also offering lower carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels.
Deals With Established and Emerging Nuclear Providers
Meta’s agreement with Vistra is expected to deliver the fastest results. Under a 20-year contract, Meta will purchase 2.1 gigawatts of electricity from Vistra’s existing nuclear facilities. These include the Perry and Davis-Besse nuclear plants in Ohio, both of which are already in operation.
In addition to supplying current capacity, Vistra plans to expand output at those plants and at its Beaver Valley nuclear facility in Pennsylvania. The upgrades are expected to add 433 megawatts of new capacity, with completion targeted for the early 2030s.
Electricity from existing nuclear plants is among the most affordable sources of baseload power in the U.S. market. This makes Vistra’s supply an important and cost-effective part of Meta’s long-term energy strategy.
Oklo’s Role in Meta’s Nuclear Plan
Meta also signed an agreement with Oklo, a startup focused on small modular reactors. Under the deal, Oklo is expected to supply up to 1.2 gigawatts of power, with deliveries potentially beginning around 2030.
Oklo’s reactor design, known as the Aurora Powerhouse, produces 75 megawatts per unit. To meet Meta’s demand, the company would need to build more than a dozen reactors. The proposed location for the project is Pike County, Ohio. While Oklo has already secured a large agreement with data center operator Switch, it has faced regulatory challenges in getting approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Meta’s commitment could help the startup advance its technology and demonstrate the commercial viability of small modular reactors.
TerraPower’s Advanced Reactor Technology
TerraPower, co-founded by Bill Gates, is Meta’s third nuclear partner. The company plans to begin supplying power as early as 2032. Its reactor design uses molten sodium to transfer heat, combined with an energy storage system that allows electricity to be released when demand is high. Each TerraPower reactor can generate 345 megawatts of electricity. The accompanying storage system can provide an additional 100 to 500 megawatts for more than five hours. This flexibility makes the technology attractive for balancing power demand from large data centers.
TerraPower is currently building its first commercial plant in Wyoming in partnership with GE Hitachi. For Meta, the first two reactors would provide 690 megawatts. Meta also holds the option to purchase six additional units, bringing the total potential capacity to 2.8 gigawatts of nuclear power and 1.2 gigawatts of energy storage.
How the Deals Came Together
These agreements stem from a request for proposals issued by Meta in December 2024. The company sought energy partners capable of delivering between 1 and 4 gigawatts of new generating capacity by the early 2030s.
Much of the power from these projects will flow through the PJM Interconnection, which serves 13 states across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. This grid region has seen rapid growth in data center development and is under increasing pressure to add new power sources.
Costs and Market Impact
Meta did not disclose financial details of the agreements. However, power from existing nuclear facilities is widely regarded as the lowest-cost option among baseload energy sources. The economics of small modular reactors are still evolving. TerraPower has projected future costs between $50 and $60 per megawatt-hour, while Oklo has estimated $80 to $130 per megawatt-hour. Initial projects are expected to be more expensive, with costs declining as production scales.
A Long-Term Bet on Nuclear Power
By combining power from established nuclear plants with emerging reactor technologies, Meta is positioning itself to meet rising energy demand well into the next decade. The strategy highlights how major technology companies are reshaping the U.S. energy landscape as data centers continue to expand.
If successful, these projects could accelerate the adoption of advanced nuclear power and provide a model for how large-scale digital infrastructure can be supported by stable, low-emission energy sources.
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