Meta’s Nuclear Ambition: Powering the AI Future with Atomic Energy

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In a landmark move for both the technology and energy sectors, Meta has positioned itself to become one of the largest corporate purchasers of nuclear power in U.S. history. The driving force behind this strategic shift is the immense and growing energy demand of its artificial intelligence data centers, requiring a stable, massive-scale power solution.

On January 9, 2026, the social media and technology giant disclosed a series of power purchase agreements totaling up to 6.6 gigawatts of nuclear energy capacity. This volume is sufficient to power approximately six conventional nuclear plants. These are not short-term arrangements; the company has entered into 20-year contracts with three energy partners, structured to take effect by 2035.

The agreements represent a capital-efficient strategy for Meta, enabling its partners to secure financing for new projects and maintain existing facilities without the company making direct, massive investments in energy infrastructure itself. This approach provides energy security while maintaining capital discipline.

The Power Consortium

Meta’s nuclear portfolio is built through partnerships with distinct entities:

• Vistra: This provider will supply 2,176 megawatts from its Perry and Davis-Besse facilities in Ohio and the Beaver Valley plant in Pennsylvania. Plans are also in place for a capacity expansion of 433 megawatts in the early 2030s.
• TerraPower: Backed by Bill Gates, this company is financing two sodium-cooled reactors capable of 690 megawatts by 2032. Meta has also secured rights to an additional six units from TerraPower, which are projected to deliver a combined 2.8 gigawatts by 2035.
• Oklo: A 1.2-gigawatt energy campus is under development in Pike County, Ohio, with a targeted operational date of 2030.

When combined with a pre-existing agreement with Constellation Energy for a reactor in Illinois, Meta’s total atomic energy commitments reach roughly 7.7 gigawatts.

Market Reaction and Analyst Perspective

The announcement triggered immediate positive movements across related equities. In pre-market trading, shares of Oklo surged nearly 20%, while Vistra gained over 15% to close at $174.01. Meta’s own stock advanced 1.08% on Friday, finishing the session at $653.06.

Analysts at Rosenblatt Securities reaffirmed their Buy rating on Meta, setting a price target of $1,117. They praised the nuclear deals as a shrewd balancing act between ensuring long-term energy needs and exercising financial restraint.

Geopolitical Hurdles Emerge

The strategic expansion faces headwinds beyond energy procurement. Regulatory uncertainty surrounds Meta’s proposed $2 billion acquisition of Manus, which is under review by Chinese authorities for potential export and security risks. This scrutiny highlights the geopolitical complexities that global tech firms must navigate.

Soaring Investments to Fuel AI Growth

The colossal energy deals are directly linked to Meta’s accelerating capital expenditure on artificial intelligence. Rosenblatt analysts project the company’s investments will jump 50% in 2026 to $108 billion, primarily driven by AI data center expansion.

Infrastructure is already materializing, with the one-gigawatt Prometheus data center in New Albany, Ohio, scheduled to come online later this year. The nuclear contracts are designed to guarantee the stable, long-term power supply for this and future facilities.

The company’s financial performance underscores the scale of its operations. For the third quarter of 2025, Meta reported earnings per share of $7.25, significantly surpassing expectations of $6.74. Revenue climbed 26.2% year-over-year to $51.24 billion.