Meta Nuclear Power Deals Signal a Strategic Shift in Data Center Energy Strategy

Meta nuclear power deals mark a decisive move in how large technology companies secure long-term electricity for data centers. Meta announced three separate agreements to supply nuclear power to its data centers, combining existing reactors with emerging small modular reactor projects. Together, these arrangements exceed six gigawatts of planned capacity.

The deals involve one startup, one smaller energy company, and one large operator already running nuclear plants in the United States. This mix reflects a dual strategy. Meta is securing immediate, lower-cost baseload power while also investing in future nuclear technologies. As artificial intelligence workloads expand, demand for continuous electricity has intensified. Nuclear power offers stable, round-the-clock generation that aligns with these requirements.

At the same time, these agreements followed a formal request for proposals issued in December 2024. Meta sought partners capable of adding one to four gigawatts of capacity by the early 2030s. Much of the electricity will connect through the PJM interconnection, a grid covering 13 Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states that is already saturated with data centers.

This context explains why Meta nuclear power deals are structured across timelines. Some capacity is available sooner, while other projects aim to prove new reactor models at scale.

Why Existing Reactors Matter in Meta Nuclear Power Deals

A 20-year agreement with Vistra will have the most immediate effect on Meta’s energy supply. Under this deal, Meta will purchase 2.1 gigawatts of power from two existing nuclear plants in Ohio: Perry and Davis-Besse. Electricity from operating nuclear reactors is among the cheapest forms of baseload power on the grid.

In addition, Vistra plans capacity upgrades at those Ohio plants and at Beaver Valley in Pennsylvania. These upgrades are expected to add 433 megawatts and are scheduled to come online in the early 2030s. For Meta, this approach locks in dependable supply while avoiding the delays of new reactor construction.

However, the availability of existing reactors is limited. There are only so many plants capable of supplying large new buyers. As a result, Meta and similar companies are increasingly looking beyond traditional assets.

This is where Meta nuclear power deals extend into small modular reactors. Startups promise flexibility and scalability, even though costs and timelines remain unproven.

Small Modular Reactors and the Long-Term Bet

Meta is also buying 1.2 gigawatts from Oklo, a young provider developing small modular reactors. Oklo aims to begin supplying power to the grid as early as 2030. The company went public via SPAC in 2023 and previously secured a major deal with a data center operator. Still, its reactor design has faced challenges in obtaining approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

If Oklo meets its schedule, reactors would be built in Pike County, Ohio. Each Aurora Powerhouse reactor produces 75 megawatts, requiring more than a dozen units to meet Meta’s demand. This scale highlights the manufacturing-heavy approach behind SMRs.

TerraPower represents another dimension of Meta nuclear power deals. The startup plans to deliver electricity as early as 2032 using a reactor design that transfers energy with molten sodium. Excess energy can be stored in superheated salt for later use. Each reactor produces 345 megawatts, with storage adding 100 to 500 megawatts for several hours.

TerraPower’s first two reactors would provide 690 megawatts. Meta also holds rights to purchase additional units, potentially reaching 2.8 gigawatts of nuclear capacity and 1.2 gigawatts of storage.

Cost, Uncertainty, and Strategic Implications

Meta did not disclose financial terms. Still, the cost dynamics are clear. Power from existing reactors is expected to be cheapest. By contrast, SMR costs remain uncertain. TerraPower has estimated future costs between $50 and $60 per megawatt-hour. Oklo has cited targets between $80 and $130. These estimates apply to later projects, not first deployments.

Despite this uncertainty, Meta nuclear power deals create a real-world test case. If SMR startups can deliver on timelines and cost targets, they may reshape how data centers source electricity. If not, existing reactors will remain the backbone.

For business leaders tracking energy strategy, these developments underscore a broader trend. Technology companies are no longer passive buyers of power. They are shaping generation decisions directly. In this evolving landscape, strategic advisory and operational insight matter. Explore the services of Uttkrist. Our services are global in nature and highly enabling for businesses of all types. Drop an inquiry in your suitable category: https://uttkrist.com/explore/

As nuclear power becomes central to digital infrastructure, how will long-term energy commitments redefine competition among data-driven companies?

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