Meta Platforms has entered into a landmark agreement with Constellation Energy to keep one of its Illinois-based nuclear reactors operational for the next two decades. This deal marks Meta’s first-ever direct partnership with a nuclear power plant and highlights the growing interest among Big Tech companies in securing reliable, low-carbon energy as U.S. electricity demand surges—driven largely by expanding AI and data center operations.

The agreement will help sustain Constellation’s Clinton Clean Energy Center, a facility that faced potential closure following the expiration of Illinois’ zero emissions credit program in 2027. This program provided financial incentives to power producers for generating near-zero carbon emissions energy. Meta’s purchase of power effectively replaces the state support and provides a financial foundation to aid in the plant’s license renewal and ongoing operations.

Constellation Energy filed with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission last year to extend the Clinton plant’s operating license through 2047, a critical step that this new power purchase agreement supports. The deal also permits Constellation to increase the plant’s capacity by 30 megawatts, adding to its existing 1,121 MW output—enough electricity to power roughly 800,000 U.S. homes.

Urvi Parekh, Meta’s global head of energy, emphasized the importance of such agreements for utility companies, stating, “Utilities need certainty that existing power plants will continue to operate.”

Joe Dominguez, Constellation’s CEO, expressed optimism about the broader impact of the deal, noting that the company is in talks with other potential partners nationwide who could follow Meta’s lead. “This agreement provides the financial backing needed to invest in relicensing and maintaining these crucial energy assets,” he said.

The deal has also been welcomed by labor representatives. Bobby Wendell of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers highlighted how it ensures a stable work environment for plant employees.

The announcement comes amid increasing support for nuclear energy in the U.S., especially following President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders aimed at expanding nuclear capacity. Industry analysts like Evercore ISI’s Nicholas Amicucci believe Meta’s agreement could be the first of many similar partnerships.

In the broader context, independent power producers like Constellation have been involved in some of the largest energy contracts in recent U.S. history. This is partly due to soaring electricity demand expected from AI-driven data centers, projected to push U.S. power consumption to unprecedented levels in 2025 and 2026.

Meta’s deal follows Constellation’s earlier arrangement to restart a reactor at the Three Mile Island plant, which will supply power to Microsoft’s data centers once it receives necessary regulatory approvals. Meanwhile, other energy giants like Vistra Corp and NRG Energy are also pursuing major acquisitions and expansion plans in the nuclear and power generation sectors.

While financial terms of Meta’s agreement remain undisclosed, such long-term power purchase agreements typically represent multi-billion-dollar investments, underscoring the strategic importance of securing clean, reliable energy sources as tech companies scale their operations.