The move is part of a broader trend in the tech industry, with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon also investing in nuclear power. Microsoft plans to restart a reactor at Three Mile Island by 2028, Google has signed a deal with Kairos Power for 500 megawatts of electricity, and Amazon is backing SMR startup X-Energy. Despite the rising interest in nuclear power, the success of these initiatives depends on timing, as renewable power and batteries continue to get cheaper and fusion power startups are promising to start their first commercial-scale reactors early in the 2030s.
Key takeaways:
- Meta is seeking proposals from nuclear power developers to help the company add 1 to 4 gigawatts of electricity generating capacity in the U.S., with initial proposals due by February 5, 2025.
- The company is willing to share costs early in the cycle and commit to buying power once the reactors are operational.
- The new power plants do not have to be located next to a preferred data center location, as long as they can support the growth needs of the electric grids that power Meta's data centers and the surrounding communities.
- Other tech companies such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are also investing in nuclear power, suggesting a potential renaissance for the industry in the coming decade.