Meta Platforms Inc. is seeking up to 4 gigawatts of nuclear energy as it looks for a reliable electricity source for its data centers. The company has asked developers to submit proposals to deliver between 1 and 4 gigawatt reactor capacity, starting in the early 2030s.
Commercial nuclear reactors can generate about 1 gigawatt of electricity, enough to power around 750,000 typical homes. Meta is racing to secure clean energy to meet its growing demands for artificial intelligence. Other tech giants like Amazon and Alphabet are also exploring nuclear power as a viable option.
According to Adam Stein, director of nuclear energy innovation at the Breakthrough Institute research organization, deep-pocketed technology companies can accelerate the development of new nuclear plants by taking on early financial risk. “Utility companies are not keeping pace with technology companies’ needs,” he said.
Meta is considering both large conventional reactors and small modular designs, which may be faster and cheaper to deploy but remain untested. The company’s goal of securing power in the next decade appears feasible, with some candidates potentially ready by the early 2030s if development begins soon.
Analysts believe that Meta’s pursuit of nuclear power is a significant move towards reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and meeting growing demands for clean energy.
Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/meta-seeks-nuclear-reactors-run-205522683.html