Meta is doubling down on its ambitious energy goals, pivoting from earlier plans to build a nuclear-powered data center next to an existing reactor to a broader strategy. The tech giant has issued a request for proposals (RFP), inviting nuclear power developers to partner on building one or more nuclear reactors in the United States. The initiative seeks to generate between 1 and 4 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, sufficient to power both Meta’s energy-intensive data centers and surrounding communities.
The Proposal’s Highlights– Meta
- Capacity Goal: 1-4 GW of electricity generation.
- Timeline: Initial proposals due by February 7, 2025, with reactors operational by the early 2030s.
- Flexibility: Developers can choose locations that benefit the grid, not just Meta’s facilities.
- Cost-Sharing: Meta is willing to share early development costs and commit to purchasing power once the reactors are functional.
Why Nuclear?
Nuclear power offers a stable, carbon-free energy source that aligns with Meta’s sustainability objectives. Unlike renewables like solar and wind, which are subject to weather variability, nuclear plants provide consistent baseload power—an advantage for data centers that require high reliability.
Challenges and Alternatives
Tight Timeline
Meta’s goal to operationalize plants in the early 2030s is ambitious. Traditional nuclear plants typically take over a decade to construct, and while Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) promise shorter timelines and lower costs, these designs are still in their nascent stages.
Regulatory Hurdles
Meta’s initial attempt to site a reactor near an existing plant was thwarted due to environmental concerns—highlighting the need for more strategic site selection and stakeholder engagement.
Competition with Renewables and Fusion
- Renewable Power: Rapidly falling costs for solar, wind, and battery storage may make nuclear less attractive by the 2030s.
- Fusion Energy: Several startups aim to deploy commercial fusion reactors in the same timeframe, potentially disrupting nuclear fission’s dominance.
The Broader Nuclear Trend Among Tech Giants
Meta’s move mirrors efforts by other major tech companies:
- Microsoft plans to restart a reactor at Three Mile Island by 2028.
- Google is collaborating with startup Kairos Power on a 500 MW SMR project.
- Amazon has partnered with SMR company X-Energy, with plans for 300 MW capacity.
These investments highlight a growing belief in nuclear as a viable solution to tech’s massive energy needs.
The Road Ahead
Meta’s announcement underscores a potential renaissance for nuclear power, particularly as tech companies take on roles as energy pioneers. However, success will depend on overcoming the high costs, regulatory barriers, and unproven scalability of SMR technology.
If Meta and its peers can deliver, the 2030s might not just be a decade of AI and technological innovation but also a transformative period for global energy infrastructure.
