Meta announced on June 3 a 20-year agreement with Constellation to purchase 1.1 gigawatts of power from the Clinton Clean Energy Center in southern Illinois, aiming to support Meta’s AI and data center operations beginning in 2027.
Meta stated the agreement acknowledges “the immense value of nuclear power in providing reliable, firm electricity” for advancing AI. The company, like other tech entities, is investing heavily in AI, integrating models into platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and planning to fully automate ad creation by the end of 2025, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The International Energy Agency reported in April that the electricity demands of AI data centers are projected to more than double by 2030, potentially exceeding the current electricity consumption of Japan.
Meta said the agreement ensures a “critical plant will stay online,” meeting growing energy demands while adding 30 megawatts of incremental capacity to the grid.
Meta also noted its partnership with Constellation will preserve over 1,100 jobs and contribute $13.5 million in annual tax revenue without utilizing the state’s Zero Emission Credit program. According to Constellation’s June 3 statement, the Clinton nuclear facility almost closed in 2017 after several years of financial losses, despite its operational performance.
The plant was sustained through the enactment of Illinois’ Future Energy Jobs Act, which established the Zero Emission Credit program to support the facility until mid-2027. Constellation’s agreement with Meta allows the Clinton plant to operate without taxpayer support.
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Republican Regan Deering, among other Illinois lawmakers, welcomed the deal, calling it a “forward-thinking investment” that would boost the local economy.
A March analysis by the Brattle Group determined that closing Clinton would increase emissions by over 34 million metric tons of carbon over 20 years. This is equivalent to adding approximately 7.4 million gasoline-powered cars to the road for a year. Brattle also estimated a potential $765 million annual reduction in Illinois’ gross domestic product should the Clinton facility cease operations.
Meta is also reportedly engaged in identifying additional nuclear energy operators to meet its innovation and sustainability goals, stating, “[We] are in final discussions with a shortlist of potential projects to meet our 1-4 gigawatt target,” following the initiative’s announcement last December.
