Meta’s Nuclear Bet: Why Power Is Becoming the Next Big Tech Battleground

Meta has partnered with Oklo to secure nuclear power for its next generation of data centers. The deal centres on a planned 1.2 gigawatt nuclear site in Ohio, designed to support massive future computing demand.

This move puts Meta nuclear data centers at the centre of a growing energy conversation across Big Tech. AI workloads, cloud infrastructure, and always-on services are pushing electricity demand far beyond traditional grid capacity.

A key part of the agreement allows Meta to prepay for electricity to help fund construction. That upfront capital reduces financing risk and accelerates timelines, with first power expected around 2030.

For Meta, this is about control rather than cost alone. Owning long-term access to power protects Meta nuclear data centers from price volatility, grid congestion, and future regulatory pressure.

Nuclear power also aligns with Meta’s sustainability narrative. Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear provides consistent baseload energy with minimal carbon emissions, making it suitable for always-on data center operations.

The scale matters here. A 1.2 gigawatt site could power multiple hyperscale facilities, positioning Meta nuclear data centers for decades of expansion without relying on strained regional grids.

This partnership reflects a broader industry trend. As AI models grow larger and more energy-intensive, power availability is becoming a competitive advantage rather than a background utility.

There are still risks. Regulatory approvals, construction timelines, and public perception around nuclear energy could all affect delivery.

Still, Meta nuclear data centers signal a long-term mindset that investors should pay attention to. Energy strategy is quietly becoming as important as chips, data, and algorithms in the race for AI dominance.