Key Takeaways
- Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has signed a 20-year deal with Vistra to expand generation at the Perry and Davis-Besse nuclear plants in Ohio and the Beaver Valley plant in Pennsylvania.
- The agreements will add 433 megawatts of new capacity, enough to power roughly 300,000 homes, and create about 3,000 temporary jobs over nine years.
- Meta is also partnering with Oklo, a company working on small modular reactors, to build a new nuclear power campus in Pike County, Ohio, with plans to generate 1.2 gigawatts of new power by 2034.
- The move is part of a broader national shift, as big tech companies turn to nuclear power to meet the massive electricity needs of artificial intelligence.
Introduction to Meta’s Nuclear Investment
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is making a significant investment in nuclear power in Ohio. The company has signed a 20-year deal with Vistra, the parent company of the Perry and Davis-Besse nuclear plants, to expand generation at those facilities and Vistra’s Beaver Valley plant in Pennsylvania. As Vistra CEO Jim Burke said in a statement, "This is a unique and exciting collaboration." The agreement is expected to add 433 megawatts of new capacity from equipment upgrades, known as "uprates," which is enough electricity to power roughly 300,000 homes.
The Broader National Shift
Meta’s moves in Ohio are part of a broader national shift, as big tech companies turn to nuclear power to meet the massive electricity needs of artificial intelligence. AI data centers run around the clock and use far more power than traditional office buildings. As a result, companies like Microsoft are also investing in nuclear power, with Microsoft striking a deal in 2024 to reopen the Three Mile Island nuclear site in Pennsylvania. This shift towards nuclear power is driven by the need for reliable and efficient energy sources to power the growing demands of artificial intelligence.
Job Creation and Economic Benefits
The Meta upgrades are expected to create about 3,000 temporary jobs over nine years, mostly tied to engineering, construction, and maintenance work during planned outages. While the company did not disclose how much the upgrades will cost, the investment is seen as a major win for Ohio. As U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno said in a statement, "Bringing new nuclear generation online is key to Ohio and our nation’s growth and security, and Vistra’s significant investment is a huge win for Ohio." The creation of new jobs and investment in the state’s nuclear industry is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy.
Partnership with Oklo
Vistra isn’t the only nuclear investment Meta is making in Ohio. Meta also has a separate partnership with Oklo, a company working on small modular reactors, or SMRs. These are smaller nuclear plants designed to be built faster and produce less power than traditional reactors. Oklo plans to build its reactors at a new nuclear power campus on 206 acres of land in Pike County. As Oklo’s co-founder and CEO Jacob DeWitte said in a statement, "Meta’s funding commitment in support of early procurement and development activity is a major step in moving advanced nuclear forward." Oklo’s plan is to generate 1.2 gigawatts of new power by 2034, with electricity beginning to come online as early as 2030.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Meta’s investment in nuclear power in Ohio is a significant step towards meeting the growing electricity demands of artificial intelligence. The partnership with Vistra and Oklo is expected to create new jobs, stimulate economic growth, and provide a reliable source of energy for the state. As the demand for artificial intelligence continues to grow, it is likely that we will see more investments in nuclear power and other forms of renewable energy. As Vistra CEO Jim Burke said, "This is a unique and exciting collaboration," and it will be interesting to see how this partnership develops in the coming years.
https://www.cleveland.com/news/2026/01/meta-signs-20-year-deal-with-ohio-nuclear-plants-for-upgrades-to-power-ai-operations.html