Meta has struck three agreements to secure nuclear-generated electricity for its rapidly expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure, marking a decisive shift by the social media and technology group towards long-term, low-carbon power sources as computing demands surge.The deals, which include a partnership involving Bill Gates–backed TerraPower, are designed to provide steady baseload energy for Meta’s data centres as the company accelerates investment in large-scale AI models, data processing and cloud services. Meta said the arrangements are intended to support reliability and emissions targets at a time when conventional power grids are under strain from the growth of high-performance computing.
The push into nuclear energy reflects a broader recalibration across the technology sector, where escalating electricity needs are colliding with climate commitments. Training and running advanced AI systems requires vast amounts of continuous power, often exceeding what renewable sources such as wind and solar can deliver on their own due to intermittency. Nuclear generation, by contrast, offers round-the-clock output with minimal direct carbon emissions.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has framed the nuclear purchases as a complement to its existing renewable portfolio rather than a replacement. The company has already contracted significant solar and wind capacity globally, but executives have acknowledged that AI workloads demand a more stable energy mix. The three nuclear deals are expected to underpin new and existing data centre campuses in the United States, where Meta is concentrating much of its AI infrastructure build-out.
One of the agreements involves TerraPower, founded by Bill Gates, which is developing next-generation nuclear technologies, including advanced reactors designed to be safer and more flexible than traditional plants. While financial terms and exact capacity allocations have not been disclosed publicly, the partnership signals Meta’s willingness to engage with emerging nuclear projects rather than relying solely on legacy reactors.
Industry analysts say the move highlights how AI is reshaping energy strategy among hyperscale technology companies. Data centres already account for a growing share of electricity consumption in major economies, and AI is amplifying that trend. Nuclear energy, once viewed as politically sensitive or economically rigid, is gaining renewed attention as governments and corporations seek dependable power that aligns with decarbonisation goals.
The deals also underscore the changing narrative around nuclear power in the United States. Federal and state authorities have increasingly supported life extensions for existing plants and incentives for advanced reactor development, citing energy security and emissions reduction. For technology companies, long-term nuclear contracts can hedge against power price volatility while offering a clearer path to meeting net-zero pledges.
Meta has not indicated that it plans to own or operate nuclear facilities directly. Instead, the agreements are structured around power purchase arrangements and strategic partnerships, allowing the company to secure output without assuming the regulatory and operational burdens of running reactors. This approach mirrors strategies used previously for large-scale renewable procurement.
Critics of nuclear expansion point to high capital costs, long development timelines and unresolved questions around waste disposal. Environmental groups have also cautioned that investment in nuclear could divert resources from faster-to-deploy renewable technologies. Meta has responded by emphasising that its energy strategy is additive, combining renewables, grid efficiency measures and nuclear supply to match the scale and continuity required by AI systems.
Within Meta, AI is central to product development and future revenue growth, spanning content recommendation, advertising optimisation, virtual reality and generative tools. The company has increased capital expenditure guidance to accommodate new data centres, specialised chips and networking equipment. Energy availability has become a strategic constraint, elevating power procurement to board-level consideration.
The involvement of TerraPower adds another dimension, as advanced nuclear technologies aim to address some of the historical challenges of the sector. Smaller, modular designs and alternative fuel cycles are promoted as offering improved safety and more predictable costs, though many projects remain in development rather than commercial operation.
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