Key Facts
- ✓ Meta is partnering with Vistra, TerraPower, and Oklo to deliver 6.6 gigawatts of nuclear generation by 2035.
- ✓ The agreement with TerraPower funds two new reactors capable of delivering up to 690 megawatts by 2032.
- ✓ Oklo will bring 1.2 gigawatts of nuclear power online as early as 2030.
- ✓ OpenAI CEO Sam Altman owns just over 4 percent of Oklo.
- ✓ Meta’s deal with Vistra includes purchasing more than 2.1 gigawatts from existing plants in Ohio.
Quick Summary
Meta has announced three new agreements to purchase nuclear power for its AI infrastructure as well as the Prometheus supercluster, a 1-gigawatt data center being built in Ohio. The social media giant is partnering with power companies Vistra, TerraPower, and Oklo to deliver an expected 6.6 gigawatts of generation to its projects by 2035.
The company's agreement with TerraPower will fund the development of two new reactors capable of delivering up to 690 megawatts of power as early as 2032. The deal also gives Meta rights to energy from six other reactors that could deliver an additional 2.1 gigawatts by 2035. A partnership with Oklo will bring 1.2 gigawatts of nuclear power online as early as 2030. Meta’s agreement with Vistra focuses on keeping existing nuclear plants running longer and boosting their output.
TerraPower Partnership and Natrium Reactors
Meta's agreement with TerraPower is a significant step in funding new nuclear technology. The deal will finance the development of two new reactors capable of delivering up to 690 megawatts of power as early as 2032. This power is intended to support Meta's growing AI infrastructure needs.
In addition to the initial two reactors, the deal provides Meta with rights to energy from six other reactors. These additional units could deliver an extra 2.1 gigawatts by 2035. All power generated through this partnership will come from TerraPower's Natrium reactors.
The Natrium reactor design is distinct from traditional nuclear plants. These reactors use sodium instead of water as a coolant. This technology represents a newer approach to nuclear energy generation.
Oklo and Vistra Agreements
Meta has also secured a partnership with Oklo that will bring 1.2 gigawatts of nuclear power online as early as 2030. Meta states that this agreement opens the door to the construction of multiple Oklo reactors. The company claims this construction will create thousands of construction and long-term operations jobs in Ohio.
Interestingly, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is one of Oklo's largest investors. He owns just over 4 percent of the company. This connection highlights the intersection of major tech leaders investing in nuclear energy solutions.
Meanwhile, Meta’s agreement with Vistra focuses on extending the life and output of current facilities. Through new 20-year deals, Meta will purchase more than 2.1 gigawatts of electricity from some of Vistra’s existing plants in Ohio. The deal also includes backing for added capacity at those sites, plus another location in Pennsylvania. Vistra expects the added capacity, totaling 433 megawatts, to come online in the early 2030s.
The Broader Trend in Big Tech
These announcements fit into a larger movement within the technology sector. Big tech is increasingly turning to nuclear power to fuel its AI ambitions. The massive energy requirements of data centers and AI clusters necessitate reliable, carbon-free power sources.
Meta has been actively pursuing this strategy. The company signed a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy for nuclear power last year. This previous deal laid the groundwork for the current expansion of their energy portfolio.
Other tech giants are following suit. Microsoft is famously reopening Three Mile Island and will be the plant’s sole customer as part of a 20-year deal. This industry-wide shift underscores the critical need for stable energy infrastructure to support the next generation of computing.