NextFin News - On January 9, 2026, Meta Platforms announced significant power purchase agreements (PPAs) with three nuclear energy companies—Vistra, TerraPower, and Oklo—to supply over 6 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear-generated electricity to its data centers across the United States. These agreements complement a prior deal with Constellation Energy signed in 2025, positioning Meta as one of the largest corporate buyers of nuclear energy in the country. The deals span long-term contracts, including a 20-year PPA with Vistra covering its Perry and Davis-Besse plants in Ohio and the Beaver Valley plant in Pennsylvania, with energy deliveries starting as early as late 2026 and ramping up through 2034.
Meta’s collaboration with TerraPower involves funding the development of two Natrium advanced nuclear reactors and energy storage systems, with rights to energy from up to six additional units by 2035. Oklo’s agreement supports the creation of a new nuclear technology campus in Ohio, laying groundwork for multiple Aurora Powerhouse reactors. Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Joel Kaplan, emphasized that nuclear energy is critical to powering the company’s AI infrastructure while strengthening America’s energy security and sustainability.
These agreements come amid growing concerns about the limitations of the U.S. power grid and the surging electricity demand driven by AI and cloud computing. Meta’s head of global energy, Urvi Parekh, highlighted nuclear power’s role in providing clean, reliable electricity essential for the company’s AI ambitions. Vistra’s CEO Jim Burke noted that the PPAs provide the certainty needed to invest in plant upgrades and license extensions, ensuring safe and reliable nuclear operations.
The strategic timing aligns with Meta’s planned AI data center site, Prometheus, in Ohio, expected to be operational in 2026. The combined nuclear capacity from these agreements could reach 6.6 GW by 2035, a scale that reflects the massive energy footprint of AI workloads and data center operations.
Meta’s nuclear power procurement marks a pivotal shift in tech industry energy sourcing, moving beyond traditional renewable sources like solar and wind to embrace advanced nuclear technologies. This approach addresses the intermittency challenges of renewables and the need for 24/7 baseload power to support AI’s continuous computational demands.
From an industry perspective, Meta’s investments accelerate the commercialization of next-generation nuclear reactors, such as TerraPower’s Natrium and Oklo’s Aurora Powerhouse, which promise enhanced safety, flexibility, and carbon-free power. These technologies could redefine the nuclear sector’s role in the U.S. energy mix, fostering innovation and potentially lowering costs through scale and technological advancements.
Financially, the deals have already impacted market sentiment, with Vistra’s stock rising over 11% following the announcement, reflecting investor confidence in nuclear energy’s growth prospects tied to corporate demand. However, the timeline for full energy delivery extends into the 2030s, indicating that while nuclear power is a strategic long-term solution, near-term energy challenges remain.
Looking ahead, Meta’s nuclear agreements may set a precedent for other tech giants facing similar energy demands, potentially triggering a wave of corporate procurement of advanced nuclear power. This trend could stimulate regulatory support, infrastructure investment, and public-private partnerships aimed at modernizing the U.S. energy grid and ensuring energy resilience.
Moreover, the integration of nuclear power into AI data center operations aligns with broader U.S. policy goals under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to bolster domestic energy production, technological leadership, and climate commitments through clean energy innovation.
In conclusion, Meta’s multi-gigawatt nuclear power agreements represent a strategic convergence of technology, energy, and sustainability imperatives. By securing reliable, carbon-free electricity from advanced nuclear sources, Meta not only addresses its escalating AI infrastructure needs but also catalyzes a transformative shift in how the tech sector approaches energy procurement and environmental responsibility.
