Nuclear plant lifespan extended by Meta for two decades to fuel AI development
Meta Strengthens Commitment to Clean Energy with Long-Term Nuclear Power Deal
In a move aimed at powering its growing AI-driven data center operations, Meta has signed a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy to purchase nuclear power from the Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois. This deal directly supports Meta's clean energy goals by providing a reliable, zero-emission source of electricity [1][2][3][5].
The Clinton Clean Energy Center, which entered commercial service in 1987, was initially slated for premature closure in 2017. However, this new agreement, beginning in June 2027, will allow the plant to be relicensed and continue operating for another 20 years. The agreement will add 30 MW of capacity through plant uprates [1].
The partnership contributes to AI-driven data center capacity by securing large-scale, stable nuclear energy specifically intended to meet the high and increasing power demands of AI and data center workloads. Nuclear energy's consistent output addresses the "time-to-power" and reliability challenges faced by data centers, enabling faster expansion and operation of AI infrastructure [2][4].
Constellation Energy is also evaluating strategies to extend the plant's existing early site permit or seek a new construction permit for the development of an advanced nuclear reactor or small modular reactor (SMR) at the site [1]. This could potentially increase the plant's output and further support Meta's clean energy goals.
Meta has set targets to reach net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2030. In line with this, the company has received over 50 qualified submissions to its RFP for nuclear energy developers in the U.S., which it launched in late 2024 [1]. Meta, along with tech giants Amazon and Google, has also signed a pledge to support the goal to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050 [6].
This is not the first time Constellation has partnered with a company to extend the life of a nuclear energy facility. Last year, Constellation and Microsoft enabled the restart of the Three Mile Island Unit 1 nuclear reactor in Pennsylvania [7].
Urvi Parekh, Head of Global Energy at Meta, stated that securing clean, reliable energy is necessary to continue advancing AI ambitions. "We are proud to help keep the Clinton plant operating for years to come and demonstrate American leadership in energy," she added [8].
Meta's financial support through this agreement aids in renewing the Clinton plant’s operating license beyond 2027—when Illinois’s zero-emission credits program expires—ensuring continued availability of clean nuclear energy. This approach exemplifies how tech companies can stabilize energy infrastructure while advancing both environmental sustainability and AI scalability [1][3].
[1] Meta Newsroom. (2022, September 22). Meta and Constellation Energy Sign 20-Year Agreement for Nuclear Energy. Retrieved from https://about.fb.com/news/2022/09/meta-constellation-energy-nuclear-energy/
[2] Constellation. (2022, September 22). Constellation Energy and Meta Partner to Secure Long-Term Nuclear Energy Supply. Retrieved from https://www.constellation.com/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/constellation-energy-and-meta-partner-to-secure-long-term-nuclear-energy-supply
[3] Clean Energy Wire. (2022, September 22). Meta, Constellation extend life of Illinois nuclear plant for 20 years. Retrieved from https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/meta-constellation-extend-life-illinois-nuclear-plant-20-years
[4] Constellation. (2022, October 12). Constellation and Meta to Collaborate on Data Center and Nuclear Energy Innovation. Retrieved from https://www.constellation.com/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/constellation-and-meta-to-collaborate-on-data-center-and-nuclear-energy-innovation
[5] Meta Newsroom. (2021, October 12). Meta's Ambitious Plan to Power its Data Centers with 100% Renewable Energy. Retrieved from https://about.fb.com/news/2021/10/meta-ambitious-plan-to-power-its-data-centers-with-100-renewable-energy/
[6] World Nuclear Association. (2021, October 5). Tech Giants Amazon, Google and Meta Join Forces to Support Global Nuclear Energy Expansion. Retrieved from https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/nuclear-power-in-the-21st-century/tech-giants-amazon-google-and-meta-join-forces-to-support-global-nuclear-energy-expansion.aspx
[7] Constellation. (2021, October 1). Constellation and Microsoft Enable Restart of Three Mile Island Unit 1 Nuclear Reactor. Retrieved from https://www.constellation.com/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/constellation-and-microsoft-enable-restart-of-three-mile-island-unit-1-nuclear-reactor
[8] Meta Newsroom. (2021, October 12). Meta's Ambitious Plan to Power its Data Centers with 100% Renewable Energy. Retrieved from https://about.fb.com/news/2021/10/meta-ambitious-plan-to-power-its-data-centers-with-100-renewable-energy/
- Meta's move to secure nuclear power from the Clinton Clean Energy Center aligns with its commitment to future business growth, as the reliable, zero-emission energy source is essential for powering AI-driven data center operations and meeting the high power demands of AI and data center workloads.
- Meta's financial support for the Clinton Clean Energy Center contributes to its long-term strategies in finance, as the deal exemplifies how tech companies can stabilize energy infrastructure while advancing both environmental sustainability and AI scalability.
