Meta Turns to Nuclear Power to Fuel AI Growth and Secure Long-Term Energy Supply

Technology giant signs long-term agreements with nuclear operators and next-generation reactor developers to access up to 6.6 GW of electricity by 2035

Meta Turns to Nuclear Power to Fuel AI Growth and Secure Long-Term Energy Supply

Meta has taken a major step to secure the massive volumes of electricity required to sustain the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and large-scale data centers. The company has announced a series of long-term energy agreements involving existing nuclear power plants and the development of next-generation reactors in the United States, reinforcing a strategy centered on reliability, long-term price stability, and low-carbon generation.

The deals include power purchases from nuclear facilities in the Midwest and Northeast, as well as strategic support for the development of small modular reactors (SMRs), an emerging technology viewed as a potential cornerstone of future industrial and digital energy supply.

Reliable baseload for the data-driven economy

After more than two decades of relatively flat electricity consumption, power demand in the United States is rising again, driven largely by AI, cloud computing, and high-density data centers. These facilities require uninterrupted, large-scale power — a profile that has brought nuclear energy back into focus for major corporate consumers.

Under the new agreements, Meta will source electricity from nuclear plants located in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Part of the investment will contribute to plant upgrades and life-extension programs, helping ensure continued operation well into the 2030s and, for some reactors, into the 2040s.

Small modular reactors enter Meta’s strategy

Beyond conventional nuclear assets, Meta is also backing the development of small modular reactors. SMRs are designed to be built using standardized components, potentially lowering construction costs and shortening deployment timelines compared to traditional large reactors.

While no SMRs are yet operating commercially in the United States, Meta’s support is expected to accelerate early-stage development and licensing. Initial projects supported by the company could begin delivering power early in the next decade, with additional reactors planned in subsequent phases.

A nuclear portfolio reaching 6.6 GW

Combined, Meta estimates that its nuclear agreements could provide access to as much as 6.6 gigawatts of electricity by 2035. A single large nuclear power plant typically has a capacity of around 1 GW, highlighting the scale of the company’s energy strategy.

The move reflects a broader shift among global technology firms, which are increasingly acting not just as energy consumers but as long-term partners shaping investment decisions in the power sector.

Nuclear energy as a pillar of digital decarbonization

By expanding its footprint in nuclear energy, Meta aims to align rapid digital growth with climate and sustainability goals. Unlike intermittent renewable sources, nuclear power delivers continuous, carbon-free electricity a critical attribute for AI-driven operations that cannot tolerate supply disruptions.

The strategy underscores a growing reality: as the digital economy scales, access to firm, low-carbon energy is becoming a competitive advantage. For the nuclear sector, partnerships with technology giants represent a powerful opportunity to reestablish nuclear power as a strategic backbone of the modern, data-intensive economy.

Meta Turns to Nuclear Power to Fuel AI Growth and Secure Long-Term Energy Supply