Meta inks 20-year deal with Clinton nuclear plant to fuel data centers

Meta has signed a 20-year virtual power purchase agreement (PPA) with Constellation Energy to secure emissions-free electricity from the Clinton Clean Energy Center, a nuclear plant in Illinois. Starting in 2027, this deal will support Meta’s expanding energy needs for AI and data centers by providing reliable, carbon-free power. The agreement extends the plant’s operational life through at least 2047, increases its capacity by 30 megawatts, preserves over 1,100 local jobs, and contributes approximately $13.5 million annually in local tax revenue. Constellation is also exploring the addition of small modular reactors at the site to further boost capacity. This deal aligns with Meta’s broader strategy to triple its use of nuclear energy over the next decade, as outlined in its December 2024 Request for Proposals targeting 1 to 4 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity by the early 2030s. Meta emphasizes nuclear power’s role as a stable, firm energy source