- Meta will source 1,121MW of nuclear power from Illinois to support AI data centres from 2027
- The Clinton Clean Energy Centre revival will preserve 1,100 jobs and bring $13.5M in annual tax revenue
What happened: Meta secures nuclear power to fuel AI growth
Meta has struck a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy to supply 1,121 megawatts of nuclear power starting in 2027. The power will come from the Clinton Clean Energy Centre in Illinois, a plant once scheduled for closure in 2017. Meta’s decision to secure this long-term, zero-emissions source comes amid surging demand for reliable energy to run AI workloads.
By extending the Clinton plant’s life, Meta expects to preserve more than 1,100 jobs and generate $13.5 million in annual local tax revenue. The company called nuclear energy “critical” to meeting AI-driven demand while maintaining grid reliability. “Keeping an existing plant operating will have the same positive effect as adding new clean energy to the grid,” Meta said.
The move is part of Meta’s broader push to expand its infrastructure. It has increased its 2024 capital expenditure guidance to as much as $72 billion, with investments pouring into data centres, servers, and network equipment. In Q1 alone, Meta spent $13.7 billion on infrastructure to support services such as its AI tools and smart devices.
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Why it is important
Meta’s deal underscores the growing importance of firm, zero-carbon energy sources for AI infrastructure. Unlike wind or solar, nuclear offers consistent output that aligns with the round-the-clock needs of data centres. As Meta pushes into generative AI and augmented reality, dependable energy has become a strategic necessity.
This agreement also reflects a wider shift among hyperscalers towards nuclear. Microsoft revived part of the shuttered Three Mile Island plant in 2023, while Google and Amazon have struck their own nuclear deals. These moves suggest nuclear is returning to favour as clean, large-scale power demand intensifies.
Meta is also exploring additional projects to reach its goal of 1–4GW of clean power. Sites under review for future data centre campuses include Louisiana, Wyoming, Texas, and a proposed $1 billion site in Wisconsin, as reported by Capacity. This signals potential investment worth over $200 billion in AI-ready infrastructure.
