The artificial intelligence arms race has a dirty secret: it runs on staggering amounts of electricity. As tech giants pour billions into AI training and inference infrastructure, they're discovering that the limiting factor isn't algorithms or talent—it's power. And on Thursday, Meta made the most aggressive move yet to solve that problem.

The company announced landmark agreements with three nuclear energy companies—Vistra, Oklo, and TerraPower—that will supply up to 6.6 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2035. Combined with Meta's existing agreement with Constellation Energy, the deals position Mark Zuckerberg's company as one of the most significant corporate purchasers of nuclear energy in American history.

The Prometheus Imperative

At the center of Meta's nuclear strategy sits Prometheus: the company's next-generation AI supercluster being constructed at a sprawling data center campus in New Albany, Ohio. When completed, Prometheus will be among the largest AI training facilities on Earth—a computing behemoth designed to power the AI models that will define Meta's competitive position for the next decade.

But a facility of that scale has power requirements that dwarf anything the tech industry has built before. Traditional data centers might consume 50 to 100 megawatts. Prometheus will need multiple gigawatts—enough electricity to power a mid-sized city.

"These agreements with Vistra, TerraPower, and Oklo—along with the one signed with Constellation Energy last year—make Meta one of the most significant corporate purchasers of nuclear energy in American history. This is about ensuring America leads the AI race."

— Meta spokesperson

The Three Deals

Each of Meta's nuclear partnerships serves a different timeline and technology approach.

Vistra: 2.6 GW from Existing Plants

Meta signed 20-year power purchase agreements to buy electricity from three Vistra-owned nuclear plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania: Perry, Davis-Besse, and Beaver Valley. These existing facilities will begin supplying power in late 2026, with the full 2,609 megawatts coming online by 2034.

The Vistra deal provides Meta with immediate, reliable baseload power while longer-term projects are developed. Nuclear plants operate continuously regardless of weather, making them ideal for data centers that require 99.999% uptime.

TerraPower: Next-Generation Reactors

Meta is providing funding to support the development of up to eight Natrium sodium fast reactors—an advanced design backed by Bill Gates. Two units capable of generating up to 690 megawatts of firm power could be delivering electricity as early as 2032.

Natrium reactors use liquid sodium as a coolant instead of water, enabling higher operating temperatures and more efficient electricity generation. They can also store heat for up to five hours, allowing the plants to ramp output up and down to complement intermittent renewable sources.

Oklo: Small Modular Reactors

Meta is purchasing 1.2 gigawatts from Oklo, whose small modular reactor designs promise faster construction and lower upfront costs than traditional nuclear plants. Under the deal, Oklo hopes to start supplying power to the grid as early as 2030.

Oklo's largest investor is Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI—creating an unusual connection between Meta's infrastructure and its most formidable competitor in artificial intelligence. Altman owns a 4.3% stake in Oklo worth approximately $650 million.

Why Nuclear?

Meta's pivot to nuclear reflects a hard reality: renewable energy alone cannot power the AI revolution.

Solar and wind are intermittent—they generate electricity when the sun shines and wind blows, not necessarily when data centers need power. Battery storage helps but remains expensive and limited in duration. Natural gas emits carbon and faces political opposition. Coal is declining.

Nuclear offers something unique: carbon-free electricity that generates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A single nuclear plant can operate for 60 to 80 years with proper maintenance. And while nuclear construction has historically been plagued by cost overruns and delays, the new generation of reactors from TerraPower and Oklo promises to change that equation.

The Carbon Consideration

Meta has committed to net-zero emissions by 2030—a target that would be impossible to meet if Prometheus ran on fossil fuels. The company's nuclear investments allow it to power massive AI infrastructure while maintaining credibility on climate commitments.

This matters for more than public relations. European regulators have signaled that AI companies may face scrutiny over their energy consumption. Companies that can demonstrate clean power sources will have an easier path to regulatory approval for new data centers.

The Market Reaction

Wall Street rewarded the nuclear companies handsomely. Vistra shares climbed 10% on the news, while Oklo surged 8%. Meta shares finished the day 1% higher.

The deals validate a thesis that nuclear investors have been betting on: that AI's power demands would force tech giants to embrace atomic energy. Utilities with nuclear assets have outperformed the broader market over the past year as this thesis gained traction.

The Competitive Implications

Meta's nuclear commitments raise the stakes for competitors. Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are all racing to build AI infrastructure, and all face the same power constraints. Meta's long-term agreements effectively lock in a significant portion of available nuclear capacity, potentially forcing rivals into less attractive alternatives.

The Race to Secure Power

Consider the landscape:

  • Microsoft: Has signed nuclear agreements with Constellation Energy and is exploring deals with other providers
  • Google: Has focused primarily on renewable energy but is reportedly evaluating nuclear options
  • Amazon: Has invested in nuclear startups but has been slower to sign large power purchase agreements

The next few years will see fierce competition for nuclear capacity. Companies that secure agreements now will have advantages that compound over time as AI power demands continue to grow.

The Jobs and Economic Impact

Meta's nuclear investments will create thousands of jobs across multiple states. Nuclear plant construction employs highly skilled tradespeople—welders, electricians, engineers—at wages far above the national average. Operations require hundreds of permanent workers per plant.

The projects are also expected to revitalize local economies in Ohio and Pennsylvania, where existing nuclear plants have been economic anchors for decades. Meta's long-term purchase commitments provide the revenue certainty that utilities need to invest in plant maintenance and upgrades.

The Risks

Nuclear energy is not without challenges, and Meta's aggressive strategy carries risks:

Regulatory Hurdles

New nuclear construction requires extensive regulatory approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. While the NRC has signaled support for advanced reactor designs, the approval process remains lengthy and uncertain. Delays at any of Meta's partner companies could push power delivery timelines back years.

Construction Risk

Nuclear megaprojects have a troubled history of cost overruns and delays. While TerraPower and Oklo promise better outcomes with their new designs, they have not yet demonstrated successful commercial-scale construction. Meta is betting on technologies that remain unproven at scale.

Public Perception

Nuclear energy remains controversial. While public opinion has shifted more favorably in recent years—particularly as climate concerns have grown—accidents like Fukushima linger in public memory. Community opposition could slow or block new construction.

The Bottom Line

Meta's nuclear agreements represent the most aggressive corporate bet on atomic energy in a generation. By committing to 6.6 gigawatts of nuclear power—enough to supply millions of homes—the company is positioning itself to power AI infrastructure at a scale competitors may struggle to match.

The deals also signal a broader shift in how tech companies think about energy. The era of treating electricity as a commodity to be purchased cheaply from the grid is ending. In the AI age, power is a strategic asset—and companies that secure reliable, clean electricity will have durable competitive advantages.

For investors, Meta's nuclear play offers a window into the future of AI infrastructure. The winners won't just be the companies with the best algorithms; they'll be the companies with the power to run them.