The plan to go nuclear: Meta’s power pitch
Matt V
December 06, 2024
META
Meta is turning to nuclear energy to meet the massive power demands of training AI systems, which now exceed what the current electricity grid can handle.
The company has asked nuclear developers to pitch ideas for providing 1 to 4 gigawatts of new energy.
This shows how seriously Meta is looking for long-term, sustainable energy solutions - if you class nuclear as sustainable - of which there is some debate.
What Meta wants:
The focus is on small modular reactors (SMRs) or larger reactors that can grow over time to lower costs.
Partners must handle permits, design, and construction while also working closely with local communities.
Meta wants partners to manage the entire project while it commits to buying the energy at a fixed price.
The grid just ain’t enough
Other tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have already made deals for nuclear energy this year.
Meta’s February 2025 deadline might seem late, but nuclear projects take years to start, so it isn’t far behind.
By acting now, Meta aims to secure the energy it needs to stay competitive in AI development.
So Meta's next big partner might be a nuclear reactor? That’s some sci-fi-level planning.