Zuckerberg Signs 20-Year Deal To Build Nuclear-Fueled AI

Meta signed a 20-year nuclear power deal Tuesday with Constellation Energy, saving an Illinois plant from closure while fueling the tech giant’s AI expansion.

The deal will keep the Clinton Clean Energy Center online beyond 2027, when Illinois’ ratepayer-funded support is set to expire. Meta’s agreement saves the Clinton plant from closure, marking another Big Tech foray into nuclear energy as AI data centers drive unprecedented energy demand.

“We are proud to partner with Meta because they asked that important question, and even better, they figured out that supporting the relicensing and expansion of existing plants is just as impactful as finding new sources of energy,” said Joe Dominguez, president and CEO of Constellation in a press release. “Sometimes the most important part of our journey forward is to stop taking steps backwards.”

The agreement marks Meta’s first official nuclear power deal, though the company has been pursuing clean energy partnerships as AI infrastructure drive unprecedented electricity consumption. Under the contract, Constellation will also boost Clinton’s output by 30 megawatts through plant upgrades and explore building an advanced nuclear reaction at the site.

“Securing clean, reliable energy is necessary to continue advancing our AI ambitions,” said Urvi Parekh, Meta’s head of global energy in the same press release. “We are proud to help keep the Clinton plant operating for years to come and demonstrate that this plant is an important piece to strengthening American leadership in energy.”

The deal echoes similar nuclear agreements by other tech companies, including Microsoft’s 20-year contract with Constellation to revive the Three Mile Island plant