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Meta is ramping up its push into nuclear power to fuel the massive energy demands of its AI initiatives, announcing partnerships with three key players in the sector. The social media giant has struck deals with Oklo and TerraPower to back cutting-edge reactor technologies, while teaming up with Vistra to sustain and upgrade existing nuclear facilities. These moves, stemming from a detailed request for proposals on nuclear energy, aim to inject clean, dependable electricity into U.S. grids, safeguarding jobs, bolstering the fuel supply chain, and driving artificial intelligence advancements.
The agreements will channel power to the networks serving Metas operations, such as its Prometheus supercluster under construction in New Albany, Ohio. By 2035, these efforts could contribute up to 6.6 gigawatts of clean energy from new and upgraded sources, creating thousands of construction roles and hundreds of ongoing positions. This initiative underscores Metas strategy to shoulder the full energy costs for its data centers, easing the load on everyday consumers while enhancing overall grid stability.
Joel’s Kaplan, Metas chief global affairs officer, highlighted the significance of these pacts in a statement. He noted that along with prior deals involving Vistra, TerraPower, Oklo, and Constellation, Meta now ranks among the largest corporate buyers of nuclear energy in U.S. history. Kaplan emphasized how such infrastructure will cement Americas lead in AI, fortify national energy systems, and generate skilled employment in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania, while prolonging the service of three nuclear sites and hastening novel reactor designs.
Turning to innovative reactors, Meta sees advanced nuclear as vital for meeting surging needs for scalable, emission-free power. Newer designs promise enhanced safety and seamless integration with current grids, making them ideal for tomorrows energy landscape. The collaborations with Oklo and TerraPower provide these firms with financial stability to secure funding and expand capacity, ultimately helping keep electricity prices steady and grids robust for all users.
In its TerraPower deal, Meta is investing to develop two Natrium reactors, each capable of 345 megawatts, with initial output possible by 2032. The arrangement also grants access to energy from as many as six additional units totaling 2.1 gigawatts by 2035. Across eight units, this could yield 2.8 gigawatts of steady power plus 1.2 gigawatts from integrated storage, marking Metas most substantial endorsement of next-gen nuclear to date. TerraPower President and CEO Chris Levesque praised the partnership for enabling swift rollout of their flexible, zero-carbon tech, building on recent progress in design, supply chains, and regulations.
Meanwhile, the Oklo collaboration targets a fresh nuclear site in Pike County, Ohio, potentially operational by 2030 and delivering up to 1.2 gigawatts to the PJM interconnection market. It paves the way for building several Aurora Powerhouse reactors, rooted in established fast-reactor principles with passive safety features that handle fresh or recycled fuel. This project is set to spur thousands of jobs in construction and operations, alongside boosting local taxes via infrastructure spending. Oklo co-founder and CEO Jacob DeWitte called Metas early funding a pivotal advancement, turning their Ohio vision into tangible progress for clean power and quality employment.
On the preservation front, Metas 20-year contracts with Vistra cover more than 2.1 gigawatts from the Perry and Davis-Besse plants in Ohio, incorporating capacity boosts at these sites and the Beaver Valley facility in Pennsylvania. All feed into the PJM grid, and the upgrades, the biggest backed by a corporate partner in the nation, will add 433 megawatts total by the early 2030s. This support ensures ongoing reliable output, benefiting regional power supplies amid rising demand. Vistra President and CEO Jim Burke described the alliance as a win for innovation and energy security, allowing plant extensions, efficiency gains, job preservation, and community investments.
These announcements cap a rigorous nuclear procurement effort by Meta, refining how it aids project timelines and selects allies to accelerate nuclear growth. For over ten years, the company has championed clean energy ventures, contributing nearly 28 gigawatts across 27 states. Adding Oklo, TerraPower, and Vistra to this roster reinforces Metas commitment to U.S. energy dominance amid the AI boom. For details on the procurement process, see Metas nuclear RFP overview.
