Technology
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Meta just announced on Tuesday that it will invest billions to secure the clean energy attributes of an Illinois nuclear plant through 2047. The agreement ensures continued operations of the Clinton Clean Energy Center, a 1.1-gigawatt nuclear facility owned by Constellation Energy.
Starting in June 2027, Meta will purchase the plant’s “clean energy attributes” — a form of carbon accounting rather than direct power use. Electricity from the plant will still feed the local grid, but Meta will use the transaction to bolster its clean energy portfolio and reduce its reported carbon footprint.
While financial specifics remain undisclosed, the long-term deal is expected to fund the relicensing of the plant and secure its viability without ratepayer subsidies. For Constellation, this provides a stable customer base and an alternative to public funding, as the current Zero Emission Credit (ZEC) program in Illinois expires in 2027.
Why It Matters: Tech’s Growing Appetite for Atomic Energy
The move reflects a broader industry pivot. Once priced out by cheaper natural gas and renewables, nuclear power is enjoying a renaissance fueled by surging demand from AI and cloud computing. Companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Google are scrambling to secure long-term, zero-carbon energy sources to meet both regulatory pressures and public pledges.
In fact, Meta recently launched a call for nuclear energy proposals between 1 and 4 gigawatts and has already received over 50 qualifying submissions across 20 states. These efforts point to a shift from buying renewable energy credits to locking in long-term supply from next-gen fission sources.
Clinton: From Near Closure to Strategic Asset
The Clinton plant’s future has been uncertain in recent years. It was previously slated for shutdown in 2017 due to market pressures, but state subsidies kept it alive. Although Constellation hasn’t recently threatened to close the facility, the expiration of those subsidies in 2027 placed its operations in question.
Now, Meta’s backing provides a lifeline that eliminates the need for further public support. In a statement, Constellation framed the deal as a private sector replacement for the ZEC program, ensuring uninterrupted operations and avoiding additional burden on ratepayers.
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The Nuclear Arms Race Among Tech Giants
This isn’t the first time Big Tech has flirted with nuclear. Just last September, Microsoft struck a deal with Constellation to restart a dormant reactor at Three Mile Island, agreeing to buy its full power output. Meta’s latest move suggests a growing consensus in Silicon Valley that nuclear energy is no longer a fringe investment — it’s an operational imperative.
As the data center arms race escalates, particularly with AI models requiring massive compute resources, securing scalable, stable, and carbon-free energy sources is becoming essential. Meta’s investment marks a critical step in that direction — not just preserving an aging plant, but possibly setting the precedent for how future tech infrastructure gets powered.
