Meta Platforms just inked a 20-year deal with Constellation Energy to fuel its Illinois data center with nuclear energy from the Clinton Clean Energy Center. This comes amid a surge in AI demand, especially after the success of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
In 2023 alone, Meta consumed 2.6 million kilowatt-hours of power and emitted 1,000 tons of CO2 while working on its Llama language models. Overall, its global energy use hit over 15 terawatt-hours—a 33% jump from the previous year. The company aims to tap nuclear energy for 4 gigawatts as competition in generative AI heats up.
The agreement kicks off in 2027 and explores further nuclear options. This deal hinges on Illinois’ zero-emissions credit policy, set to expire the same year. Meta’s recent request for nuclear energy proposals attracted over 50 submissions from operators across 20 states. Their goal? To invest in reliable energy sources to support their expanding data centers.
The Clinton Clean Energy Center nearly closed in 2017 due to financial troubles. Constellation claims Meta’s investment will help keep it operational without relying on ratepayers. Joe Dominguez, Constellation’s CEO, noted that backing existing facilities is just as critical as new energy sources.
Meta has already poured over $1 billion into its DeKalb Data Center, launched in 2020. Urvi Parekh, head of global energy at Meta, stressed that securing clean energy is vital for advancing their AI goals, though specifics of the Constellation deal remain confidential.
Google plans to fund three new nuclear projects for its energy needs, while Microsoft is looking to reopen the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania, also owned by Constellation. Meanwhile, Amazon is exploring small modular reactors.
Despite these strides, Meta still relies on carbon-emitting energy. Its upcoming $10 billion Louisiana data center includes three natural gas turbines alongside renewables.
For IT leaders, the urgency to adopt AI while balancing costs and sustainability is intensifying. McKinsey estimates a $5.2 trillion investment in data centers by 2030 due to this rising demand. Meta’s Constellation deal aims to provide 1,121 megawatts of emissions-free energy, which could help CIOs demonstrate progress in both AI adoption and sustainability.
Bob Johnson, a Gartner analyst, highlighted that Meta’s approach creatively mitigates the need for new power plants during peak demand. He pointed out the current challenge: insufficient power to meet data center needs driven by AI. Finding alternative energy sources is crucial as data demand skyrockets.
Pradeep Sanyal of Capgemini warned that the energy strategy will soon become essential to IT strategy. Whether or not CIOs manage large AI workloads, rising energy needs will impact costs and service agreements. He stated that the intent behind energy moves is critical, signaling that decisions can’t be postponed any longer.