Meta will use nuclear energy to power its AI processing centres, similar to Amazon, Microsoft and Google
Meta has announced plans to use nuclear energy to power its data centres to develop new artificial intelligence tools.
Here's What We Know
The company has issued a request for proposals for partnerships with nuclear energy developers. Meta joins Amazon, Microsoft and Google, which are also looking to use nuclear reactors for their needs.
Meta is interested in both small modular reactors (SMRs) and large reactors, with plans to add 1-4 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity in the US by the early 2030s. This decision stems from the need to find less polluting sources of electricity to meet sustainability goals.
Support for nuclear power is growing because it is seen as a carbon-free source of electricity that can replace solar and wind farms during periods of low activity.
Despite long lead times for building new reactors and the need to prove the effectiveness of new technologies, nuclear energy is gaining support from both the Biden administration and President-elect Trump.
