Meta’s Nuclear-Powered Data Center Strategy Takes a New Turn
After facing regulatory hurdles for its initial plan to build near an existing reactor, Meta is charting a new course in its quest for nuclear-powered data centers. The tech giant recently announced an ambitious Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking nuclear power developers to deliver 1-4 gigawatts of electricity capacity in the U.S.
The New Approach: Flexible Partnerships
Key aspects of Meta’s revised strategy include:
- Cost-sharing partnerships with nuclear developers during early project phases
- Power purchase agreements once reactors become operational
- Geographic flexibility, removing the requirement for plants to be colocated with data centers
- Aggressive timeline, with proposals due by February 7, 2025 and operations targeted for early 2030s
Meta’s official statement emphasizes supporting both data center needs and surrounding communities’ power grids.
Regulatory Challenges and Industry Context
The move comes after regulators blocked Meta’s original plan over environmental concerns, mirroring similar challenges faced by Amazon. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has shown increasing scrutiny of data center power demands that could strain grid stability.
Nuclear Options on the Table
Meta’s RFP considers two primary nuclear technologies:
- Traditional large-scale reactors (≈1 GW capacity)
- Proven technology but costly and slow to deploy
- Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
- Promising cost reductions through modular design
- Still unproven at commercial scale
Tech Industry’s Nuclear Renaissance
Meta isn’t alone in betting on nuclear power for AI and data center needs:
- Microsoft plans to restart Three Mile Island’s reactor by 2028
- Google partnered with Kairos Power for 500MW of SMR capacity
- Amazon invested in X-Energy for ≈300MW of generation
The Race Against Time and Alternatives
While nuclear gains momentum, the energy landscape continues evolving:
- Renewable energy and storage costs keep declining
- Fusion startups promise commercial reactors by early 2030s
- Projected AI data center power demands leave room for multiple solutions
Meta’s initiative reflects tech’s growing role in shaping energy infrastructure, reminiscent of early renewable energy investments. The coming decade will test whether nuclear power can deliver on its promise to meet the insatiable energy demands of AI and cloud computing.
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