Meta Seeks Nuclear Power Developers for Early 2030s Reactor Projects ⚡️🔋

Meta Platforms is seeking proposals from nuclear power developers as part of its efforts to meet the growing electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and environmental goals. The company plans to add 1 to 4 gigawatts of new U.S. nuclear generation capacity starting in the early 2030s. For context, a typical U.S. nuclear plant has a capacity of about 1 gigawatt. Meta believes nuclear energy will play a crucial role in transitioning to a cleaner, more reliable electric grid. This move comes as U.S. data center power consumption is projected to triple between 2023 and 2030, requiring about 47 gigawatts of new generation capacity. However, meeting this demand swiftly may be challenging due to the overburdened U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, potential uranium fuel supply issues, and local opposition to nuclear projects. Meta is specifically interested in developers with expertise in community engagement, development, and permitting, and is open to both small modular reactors (SMRs) and larger traditional nuclear reactors. The company is accepting submissions for the request-for-proposal (RFP) process until February 7, 2025. Unlike renewable energy projects, nuclear power is capital-intensive and subject to stringent regulatory requirements, so Meta aims to approach these projects carefully and thoughtfully.