By MATT OTT, Associated Press Business Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Meta has cut a 20-year deal to secure nuclear power to help meet surging demand for artificial intelligence and other computing needs at Facebook’s parent company.
The investment with Meta will also expand the output of a Constellation Energy Illinois nuclear plant.
The agreement announced Tuesday is just the latest in a string of tech-nuclear partnerships as the use of AI expands. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.
Constellation’s Clinton Clean Energy Center was actually slated to close in 2017 after years of financial losses but was saved by legislation in Illinois establishing a zero-emission credit program to support the plant into 2027. The Meta-Constellation deal takes effect in June of 2027, when the state’s taxpayer funded zero-emission credit program expires.
With the arrival of Meta, Clinton’s clean energy output will expand by 30 megawatts, preserve 1,100 local jobs and bring in $13.5 million in annual tax revenue, according to the companies.
“Securing clean, reliable energy is necessary to continue advancing our AI ambitions,” said Urvi Parekh, Meta’s head of global energy.
Constellation, the owner of the shuttered Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, said in September that it planned to restart the reactor so tech giant Microsoft could secure power to supply its data centers. Three Mile Island, located on the Susquehanna River just outside Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was the site of the nation’s worst commercial nuclear power accident in 1979.
Related Articles
Wall Street drifts as financial markets worldwide hold relatively steady Dollar General posts record sales as bargain stores attract more people anxious about the economy Man accused of trying to get witness against him deported by writing letters threatening Trump US growth likely to slow to 1.6% this year, hobbled by Trump’s trade wars, OECD says Romanian man pleads guilty to ‘swatting’ plot that targeted an ex-US president and lawmakersAlso last fall, Amazon said it was investing in small nuclear reactors, two days after a similar announcement by Google. Additionally, Google announced last month that it was investing in three advanced nuclear energy projects with Elementl Power.
U.S. states have been positioning themselves to meet the tech industry’s power needs as policymakers consider expanding subsidies and gutting regulatory obstacles.
Last year, 25 states passed legislation to support advanced nuclear energy, and lawmakers this year have introduced over 200 bills supportive of nuclear energy, according to the trade association Nuclear Energy Institute.
Advanced reactor designs from competing firms are filling up the federal government’s regulatory pipeline as the industry touts them as a reliable, climate-friendly way to meet electricity demands from tech giants desperate to power their fast-growing artificial intelligence platforms.
Amazon, Google and Microsoft also have been investing in solar and wind technologies, which make electricity without producing greenhouse gas emissions.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Meta becomes the latest big tech company turning to nuclear power for its AI needs )
Also on site :
- Luke Hobson Goes 1:43.73 To Shatter Phelp’s Longstanding 200 Free US Open Record
- Shoppers go wild for new viral Dubai chocolate product in stores THIS WEEK – but will be limited to just 3 each
- Erin Gemmell And Anna Peplowski Tie For 4th In 200 Free With Potential Swim-Off Required