TL;DR
Meta announced three long-term agreements to supply its data centers with more than 6 GW of nuclear capacity from Vistra, Oklo and TerraPower. The deals mix immediate purchases from operating reactors with planned small modular reactors (SMRs) that aim to come online in the early 2030s.
What happened
Meta struck three separate power agreements to secure over six gigawatts of nuclear generation for its data centers. The company agreed a 20-year purchase with Vistra for 2.1 GW from existing Ohio reactors (Perry and Davis-Besse), with upgrades at those sites and Beaver Valley in Pennsylvania expected to add 433 MW in the early 2030s. Meta also contracted 1.2 GW from SMR developer Oklo, which hopes to begin delivering as soon as 2030 from multiple 75 MW Aurora reactors planned for Pike County, Ohio; Oklo has faced regulatory hurdles with the NRC. TerraPower, working with GE Hitachi, committed to supply an initial 690 MW from two 345 MW sodium-cooled reactors and has rights to buy up to 2.8 GW plus 1.2 GW of thermal storage; it aims to start deliveries around 2032. Meta issued an RFP in December 2024 seeking 1–4 GW by the early 2030s through the PJM grid. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Why it matters
- Nuclear offers steady 24/7 generation that supports energy-intensive AI and data center operations.
- Existing reactors provide relatively cheap baseload power, but limited supply is pushing buyers toward SMR startups.
- Large tech purchases give early revenues and scale opportunities to SMR developers, testing cost and deployment claims.
- The deals target capacity tied to the PJM interconnection, a region with high data center concentration and grid pressures.
Key facts
- Meta signed deals with Vistra, Oklo, and TerraPower for more than 6 GW of nuclear capacity.
- Vistra agreement: 20-year purchase of 2.1 GW from Perry and Davis-Besse, plus upgrades adding 433 MW across three plants, coming online in the early 2030s.
- Oklo agreement: 1.2 GW targeted delivery as early as 2030 using 75 MW Aurora SMRs planned for Pike County, Ohio; Oklo has faced NRC approval challenges.
- TerraPower agreement: initial 690 MW from two 345 MW sodium-cooled reactors, with rights to expand to 2.8 GW and 1.2 GW of storage; earliest deliveries around 2032.
- Meta issued a December 2024 RFP seeking 1–4 GW of new capacity by the early 2030s.
- Existing nuclear reactors tend to be the cheapest baseload source; SMR cost targets remain uncertain.
- TerraPower projects later plants might reach $50–$60 per MWh; Oklo targets $80–$130 per MWh for later builds; first-of-a-kind units are expected to cost more.
- Much of the new power is expected to flow through the PJM interconnection covering 13 Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern states.
- TerraPower is building its first plant with GE Hitachi in Wyoming.
What to watch next
- Whether Oklo secures necessary NRC approvals to meet its as-early-as-2030 delivery timeline (not confirmed in the source).
- If TerraPower and Oklo can achieve their stated SMR cost targets at scale and undercut alternatives (not confirmed in the source).
- Whether Meta exercises rights to buy additional TerraPower units beyond the initial two reactors (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Small Modular Reactor (SMR): A compact nuclear reactor design intended to be factory-built and assembled on site, aiming to reduce construction time and costs relative to large plants.
- Baseload power: Continuous, reliable electricity generation that runs steadily to meet minimum demand, typically used to support constant loads like data centers.
- PJM Interconnection: A regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity across parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest.
- Thermal energy storage: A method of storing heat energy — for example, in molten salt — that can later be converted to electricity to match demand.
- Power purchase agreement (PPA): A contract in which a buyer agrees to purchase electricity from a generator for a specified term and price structure.
Reader FAQ
How much nuclear capacity did Meta secure from these deals?
Meta secured over 6 GW in total: 2.1 GW from Vistra, 1.2 GW from Oklo, and an initial 690 MW from TerraPower, with rights to buy more from TerraPower.
When will the power from these deals be available?
Vistra's purchases will have the most immediate impact, with upgrades coming online in the early 2030s; Oklo aims for as early as 2030; TerraPower aims for around 2032.
Did Meta disclose the financial terms?
Meta did not disclose financial terms of the deals.
Are SMRs already proven to be cost-competitive?
Not confirmed in the source; the article notes SMR cost targets from TerraPower and Oklo but says these are for later plants and remain unproven.
Meta today announced three deals to provide its data centers with nuclear power: one from a startup, one from a smaller energy company, and one from a larger company that…
Sources
- Meta signs deals with three nuclear companies for 6-plus GW of power
- Meta signs nuclear energy deals to power Prometheus AI …
- Meta Announces Nuclear Energy Projects, Unlocking Up to …
- Meta reacts to power needs by signing long-term nuke deals
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