Meta Invests Billions in Illinois Nuclear Plant's Future

Meta Invests Billions in Illinois Nuclear Plant

Meta has signed a multi-billion dollar agreement with Constellation Energy to support the Clinton Clean Energy Center, a 1.1 gigawatt nuclear power plant in central Illinois. This 20-year deal, starting in June 2027, will help Constellation relicense the plant and guarantee a customer through 2047.

Carbon Accounting, Not Direct Power

While Meta operates a data center in DeKalb, Illinois, this agreement won't directly power it. Instead, Meta will purchase the "clean energy attributes" of the Clinton plant. This carbon accounting strategy helps lower Meta's overall climate impact by preventing potential emissions increases, rather than directly reducing emissions on the grid.

Securing the Plant's Future

This deal helps secure the Clinton plant's future. While Constellation hadn't publicly announced imminent closure risks, the agreement replaces expiring state subsidies and ensures continued operation without relying on ratepayers.

Big Tech's Growing Interest in Nuclear Energy

This agreement highlights the growing trend of tech companies investing in nuclear power. The increasing demand for energy from AI and cloud computing has spurred interest in reliable sources like nuclear. Meta itself has solicited proposals for new nuclear power plants across the US.

This deal follows a similar agreement between Constellation and Microsoft, where Microsoft agreed to purchase power from a restarted reactor at Three Mile Island.

For more information, see Constellation Energy's press release.