In a move signaling the increasing energy demands of artificial intelligence, Meta has forged a 20-year agreement to bolster the Clinton Clean Energy Center, a nuclear power plant in Illinois. This partnership aims to secure a reliable energy source for Meta’s growing AI data centers, while simultaneously reducing the company’s carbon footprint. The collaboration reflects a broader trend of tech giants turning to nuclear energy to meet the intense power requirements of AI. The Clinton plant, once facing closure in 2017, will now undergo upgrades to increase its output by 30 megawatts. Meta’s investment is positioned to secure the plant’s long-term viability, preserve 1,100 local jobs, and generate sufficient electricity to power approximately 800,000 homes. Beyond direct power usage, Meta will also acquire clean energy attributes from the plant, offsetting a portion of its overall electricity consumption and advancing the company’s goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. This investment is part of a broader strategy to add new nuclear generation capacity in the US by the early 2030s.
Meta Invests in Nuclear Power to Fuel AI Data Centers, Revives Illinois Plant
