Meta Platforms — the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp — has just taken a major leap in how big tech plans to power its future artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure by agreeing to secure up to 6.6 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear energy. This bold strategic move is designed to provide dependable, low-carbon electricity for its expanding AI data centers and supercomputing efforts — particularly the Prometheus AI supercluster under development in Ohio.
Meta announced this initiative in early January 2026, revealing landmark long-term partnerships with leading nuclear energy providers Vistra, TerraPower, and Oklo that aim to supply significant amounts of electricity to support AI workloads and reduce reliance on intermittent energy sources like solar and wind. This positions Meta as one of the largest corporate buyers of nuclear electricity in U.S. history.
Why Nuclear Energy Matters for AI Infrastructure
AI data centers and large computing clusters demand massive, reliable power around the clock. While renewables are critical for reducing emissions, they can’t always deliver uninterrupted electricity. Nuclear power fills that gap by offering consistent, firm output that aligns with the high energy requirements of AI systems. Meta’s commitment reflects this reality — locking in nuclear capacity ensures that its computing needs don’t outpace grid supplies, which can be volatile.
Meta’s leadership has made it clear that expanding clean energy supply is essential for maintaining the company’s momentum in AI innovation. According to Meta’s global affairs team, these nuclear agreements are key to strengthening the electric grid and powering AI development reliably and sustainably.
Strategic Partnerships Driving the Nuclear Deals
Here’s how Meta’s nuclear energy strategy breaks down by partner:
• Vistra Corporation – Existing Nuclear Power
Meta signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Vistra to buy more than 2,600 megawatts (MW) from existing nuclear plants, including Perry and Davis-Besse in Ohio and Beaver Valley in Pennsylvania. These plants will continue operating longer and help meet both grid and Meta’s energy demands.
• TerraPower – Next-Gen Natrium Reactors
Meta is partnering with TerraPower — a company co-founded by Bill Gates — to support the development of advanced Natrium reactors. These so-called Natrium units blend sodium fast-reactor technology with molten salt storage for flexible output. Initial deployment could produce about 690 MW, with rights to additional units that could scale to over 2.1 GW by 2035. These reactors are designed to be safer, more efficient, and better suited for future clean grids.
• Oklo Inc. – New Nuclear Campus in Ohio
Meta has also entered an agreement with Oklo, a startup focused on advanced nuclear tech, to back the development of a 1.2 GW nuclear campus in Pike County, Ohio. Meta’s funding helps fuel early construction, nuclear fuel procurement, and project planning. This facility aims to begin scaling power generation by early 2030s, adding to Meta’s long-term clean energy portfolio.
Broader Impacts and Future Outlook
The effects of these nuclear energy commitments are already rippling through markets and industry. For example, nuclear startup Oklo recently saw its stock upgraded by a major financial institution following the Meta deal — signaling investor confidence in advanced nuclear’s role in the energy transition.
Beyond Meta’s growth, the strategy highlights a wider corporate and national shift toward reliable low-carbon power. With companies locking in long-term nuclear capacity to fuel AI and data center expansion, nuclear energy is emerging as a critical complement to renewables in the clean energy mix. Analysts say this may help drive investment in new technologies like advanced modular reactors and strengthen overall grid resilience.
In essence, Meta’s nuclear energy push is not just about powering data centers — it’s about shaping a future where AI innovation, climate goals, and energy security align through clean, dependable power.
