KEY POINTS
Meta Platforms has signed a 20-year nuclear energy agreement with Constellation Energy, securing the entire output of the Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois to power its regional operations and advance its clean energy commitments.
The power purchase agreement guarantees the continued operation and relicensing of the Clinton Clean Energy Center, a facility at risk of closure as Illinois’ zero-emission credit program neared expiration.
The deal will expand the plant’s clean energy output by 30 megawatts through targeted facility upgrades.
Over 1,100 local jobs will be preserved, and the project is expected to generate $13.5 million in annual tax revenue for the community and over $1 million in charitable contributions over five years.
Constellation Energy said it “is also evaluating strategies to extend the plant’s existing early site permit or seek a new construction permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to pursue development of an advanced nuclear reactor or small modular reactor (SMR) at the Clinton Clean Energy Center site.”
Meta’s investment signals a shift in how technology companies drive demand for reliable, clean power to support next-generation data centers. By supporting the relicensing and expansion of existing nuclear plants, Meta and Constellation are helping to stabilize the grid and ensure that critical infrastructure remains operational.
The deal, which begins in June 2027, will provide Meta with 1,121 megawatts of emissions-free nuclear energy, it said in a release. That is enough power to support the company’s growing data center needs as artificial intelligence and related infrastructure demand have surged.
“We are excited to partner with Constellation and the Clinton community to ensure the long-term operations of the nuclear plant, add new capacity, and help preserve over 1,000 jobs. Securing clean, reliable energy is necessary to continue advancing our AI ambitions,” said Urvi Parekh, Head of Global Energy at Meta, in a statement.
Meta also said it was advancing a nuclear request for proposals (RFP) process, reviewing over 50 submissions from over 20 states.
The company aims to accelerate the early-stage development of 1 to 4 gigawatts of new nuclear projects, prioritizing sites that can deliver quickly and reliably.
Meta said it is “continuing to focus on how [we] can spur new nuclear capacity by partnering to push forward the development of new locations for future nuclear power plants.”
Like other recent energy and infrastructure-related construction projects, this initiative is expected to create opportunities for construction professionals.
An image of the Clinton Clean Energy Center nuclear facility in Rural Harp Township, DeWitt County, Illinois. Meta Platforms announced a 20-year corporate nuclear energy agreement with Constellation Energy this week. Image: Meta Platforms
A January 2025 White House executive order directed federal agencies to eliminate regulations and policies that restrict domestic energy production. The order aimed to revoke several conflicting climate-related executive orders and streamline permitting for energy and infrastructure projects, among other initiatives.
Reducing permitting time, lowering regulatory barriers, and increasing opportunities for projects tied to energy development and infrastructure are welcome opportunities to boost nonresidential construction jobs in the US.
By locking in two decades of nuclear power, Meta is powering its future and helping to strengthen local economies and America’s energy leadership.
The technology, energy, architectural, engineering, and construction sectors have shown a willingness to collaborate to meet the rising energy needs of the digital age.
The Clinton energy agreement is one demonstration of how supporting existing nuclear assets can benefit job creation, tax revenue generation, and the supply of emissions-free energy.
Subscribe to our economic reports
At ConstructConnect, our software solutions provide the information construction professionals need to start every project on a solid foundation. For more than 100 years, our insights and market intelligence have empowered commercial firms, manufacturers, trade contractors, and architects to make data-driven decisions and maximize productivity.
ConstructConnect is a business unit of Roper Technologies (Nasdaq: ROP), part of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000.
For more information, visit constructconnect.com
Falling energy prices across the globe will help revive manufacturing of energy-intensive products, but the U.S. will retain its competitive cost...
SB Energy launched a massive solar energy project in Buckholts, Texas, and is ready to begin selling electricity to customers, including Google, its...
Joe Doucet developed an innovative climate-responsive paint that changes color based on outside temperature to passively reduce energy needs of...
Two battery manufacturing projects have been canceled, reflecting the challenges companies face in the competitive and capital-intensive clean energy...