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Meta Signs Deals With 3 Nuclear Energy Companies to Power Data Centers
PYMNTS.com· 2026-01-09 19:16
Core Insights - Meta has signed agreements with three nuclear energy companies, making it one of the top buyers of nuclear energy in the U.S. [2] - The agreements aim to support the development of advanced nuclear technologies and enhance the energy infrastructure necessary for AI data centers [3][4] Group 1: Agreements and Partnerships - Meta's agreements with Vistra, TerraPower, and Oklo, along with a previous agreement with Constellation Energy, position the company as a significant player in the nuclear energy market [2] - The partnership with TerraPower will fund the development of two Natrium reactors and energy storage systems, providing Meta with energy rights from up to six additional Natrium units [3] - The agreement with Oklo supports the establishment of a new nuclear technology campus in Ohio and the development of several Aurora Powerhouse reactors [4] Group 2: Energy Supply and Infrastructure - Meta's agreement with Vistra involves purchasing energy from two operating nuclear power plants in Ohio and one in Pennsylvania, ensuring long-term support and investment in these facilities [5] - This commitment from Meta provides Vistra with the certainty needed to invest in existing plants and communities, facilitating new nuclear generation for the grid [6] - The growing demand for electricity from data centers, driven by the AI boom, has led to increased interest from Wall Street investment firms in acquiring utilities [7]
Meta signs deals with three nuclear companies for 6-plus GW of power
TechCrunch· 2026-01-09 17:51
Core Insights - Meta has announced three agreements to secure nuclear power for its data centers, partnering with startups Oklo and TerraPower, as well as established energy company Vistra [1][2][3] Group 1: Agreements and Capacity - Meta's deals aim to add between 1 to 4 gigawatts of generating capacity by the early 2030s, with a significant portion of the new power flowing through the PJM interconnection [4] - The 20-year agreement with Vistra will provide Meta with 2.1 gigawatts from two existing nuclear plants in Ohio, with additional capacity upgrades expected to generate 433 megawatts [5] - Oklo will supply 1.2 gigawatts, with plans to start power delivery by 2030, while TerraPower aims to begin supplying electricity by 2032 [8][10] Group 2: Technology and Cost Considerations - Existing reactors are currently the cheapest source of baseload capacity, prompting Meta to explore partnerships with SMR startups like Oklo and TerraPower [3][12] - TerraPower estimates it can reduce costs to $50 to $60 per megawatt-hour, while Oklo targets $80 to $130 per megawatt-hour for future plants [12] - Oklo's reactors will need to be built in sufficient numbers to meet Meta's demand, with each reactor producing 75 megawatts [9] Group 3: Industry Trends - The demand for stable, 24/7 electricity from nuclear power is increasing among tech companies, driven by their growing AI ambitions [2] - The race for data center power is benefiting both startups and existing nuclear reactors, albeit in different ways [2]