Meta, the parent company of Facebook, said on Tuesday that it is looking forward to collaborating with nuclear power developers in supporting its artificial intelligence and environmental sustainability initiatives. This is in a growing trend by tech giants that foresee an increase in power demand in the next few years.
It hopes to commission between 1 and 4 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity in the US by the early 2030s. For example, a conventional US nuclear power plant is expected to deliver around 1 gigawatt of electricity, making it a meaningful stride toward a ramping-up of renewable energy sources.
At Meta, we believe that nuclear energy will play a central role in the transition to a cleaner, more reliable, and diversified electric grid,” the company said in its official statement.
Rising Power Demands of Data Centres
There’s a growing demand for nuclear energy at a time when analysts predict a spike in the power consumption of data centers. Goldman Sachs estimated that energy demand from US data centers would triple by 2030, necessitating an additional 47 gigawatts of power generation.
Meta isn’t the first tech company to consider nuclear energy. Microsoft teamed up with Constellation Energy earlier this year to revive a unit at Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island plant, marking the first-ever nuclear project tailored for data centres. Similarly, Amazon entered into a nuclear-powered data centre agreement with Talen Energy in March.
Focus on Innovative Reactor Technology
Meta is open to proposals for both small modular reactors, a next-generation nuclear technology still under development, and larger traditional reactors similar to those operating today across the U.S. nuclear fleet.
The company has emphasised the importance of partnering with developers experienced in community engagement, project development, and permitting processes. Developers interested in participating in Meta’s initiative have until January 3, 2025, to submit their proposals.
This development signals Meta’s broader commitment to harnessing innovative energy solutions for a sustainable future while meeting the growing energy demands of its AI-driven operations.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
