Meta is making significant moves to power its burgeoning artificial intelligence ambitions, announcing strategic partnerships with three nuclear power providers. These collaborations, including one with a firm backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, are designed to secure the substantial energy resources required for Meta’s ambitious AI infrastructure, notably its “Prometheus” supercluster computing system.
The agreements involve Vistra, TerraPower, and Oklo, all of which are actively developing advanced nuclear power technologies. The Prometheus system, unveiled by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in July, is positioned as a critical component for the company’s development of cutting-edge artificial intelligence. Meta anticipates Prometheus will be operational by 2026.
Collectively, these new energy arrangements are projected to contribute 6.6 gigawatts of power by 2035. This significant capacity increase is intended to support Meta’s data center operations and AI development, with Meta stating it will help fund Vistra’s nuclear power plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania, thereby extending their operational lifespan and boosting energy output. The projects with TerraPower and Oklo are still in development phases.
Meta’s policy chief, Joel Kaplan, emphasized the strategic importance of these developments, stating, “State-of-the-art data centers and AI infrastructure are essential to securing America’s position as a global leader in AI.” The company anticipates that these initiatives will generate thousands of construction jobs and hundreds of long-term operational roles.
These deals underscore a broader trend within the tech industry, as major players increasingly turn to nuclear power to meet the escalating energy demands of AI development. Meta, alongside competitors like Amazon and Google, has previously signaled its commitment to nuclear energy, having signed a pledge in March to support the tripling of global nuclear energy production by 2050.
This latest announcement builds on Meta’s existing nuclear energy commitments. In June, the company finalized a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy to procure nuclear power from its Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois, commencing in 2027.
Under the new agreement, Meta will provide funding for two of TerraPower’s nuclear projects, which are slated to begin generating power as early as 2032. Furthermore, Meta has secured rights for potential energy acquisition from up to six additional TerraPower nuclear projects targeted for delivery by 2035. Oklo’s advanced nuclear technology campus is expected to become operational by 2030 in Pike County, Ohio.
Sam Altman, a prominent figure in AI and a significant investor in Oklo, holds a substantial stake in the company. Oklo became publicly traded in 2024. Altman has since stepped down from Oklo’s board to facilitate the company’s acquisition of additional clients, particularly those not directly competing with OpenAI.
The drive for substantial and reliable energy sources is a direct consequence of the exponential growth in AI, which requires immense computational power. The development of advanced AI models and the infrastructure to support them, such as Meta’s Prometheus system, represent a multi-billion dollar investment, necessitating a stable and scalable energy supply. Nuclear power offers a consistent, low-carbon energy source that is increasingly attractive to companies aiming for both technological leadership and sustainability.
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