Meta, the tech giant, has announced plans to seek proposals from nuclear power developers to build new reactors in the US, starting in the early 2030s. The company aims to add 1-4 gigawatts of new nuclear generation capacity to meet its growing energy demands and environmental goals.
The move comes as other big tech companies, including Microsoft and Amazon, have already invested in nuclear power to support their data centers. Meta believes that nuclear energy will play a key role in the transition to a cleaner, more reliable, and diversified electric grid.
However, building new nuclear reactors poses several challenges, including regulatory hurdles, uranium fuel supply issues, and local opposition. To address these concerns, Meta plans to use a request-for-proposal process to find suitable developers with expertise in community engagement, development, and permitting.
Submissions from interested developers will be accepted until January 7, 2025. The company is considering both small modular reactors and larger nuclear reactors similar to existing US plants. This move reflects the growing interest in atomic power among big tech companies as global electricity demand is expected to rise significantly over the next few years.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/meta-seeks-nuclear-power-developers-reactors-start-early-2030s-2024-12-03