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Meta seeks nuclear energy builders for reactors to begin in early 2030s


WASHINGTON, Dec 3 (Reuters) – Meta (META.O), opens new tab mentioned on Tuesday it’s searching for proposals from nuclear energy builders to assist meet its synthetic intelligence and setting objectives, changing into the most recent massive tech firm to take curiosity in atomic energy amid an anticipated growth in electrical energy demand.

The firm needs so as to add 1 to 4 gigawatts of recent U.S. nuclear technology capability beginning within the early 2030s, it mentioned in a launch. A typical U.S. nuclear plant has a capability of about 1 gigawatt.

“At Meta, we consider nuclear vitality will play a pivotal position within the transition to a cleaner, extra dependable, and diversified electrical grid,” the corporate mentioned in a launch.

U.S. knowledge middle energy use is predicted to roughly triple between 2023 and 2030 and would require about 47 gigawatts of recent technology capability, based on Goldman Sachs estimates.

But will probably be powerful to swiftly meet hovering energy demand with nuclear reactors, as corporations face an overburdened U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, potential uranium gasoline provide obstacles and native opposition.
Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab and Constellation Energy (CEG.O), opens new tab introduced a deal in September to restart a unit on the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania in what can be the first-ever restart for an information middle.
That announcement adopted the same settlement in March during which Amazon.com (AMZN.O), opens new tab, bought a nuclear-powered knowledge middle from Talen Energy (TLN.O), opens new tab.

Meta mentioned it’s searching for builders with experience in group engagement, improvement and allowing, and would think about both small modular reactors, an rising a part of the enterprise that isn’t but business, or bigger nuclear reactors much like right this moment’s fleet of U.S. nuclear vegetation.

Meta mentioned it is going to take submissions from builders that wish to participate within the request for proposals till Feb. 7, 2025.

The firm mentioned it was utilizing the request-for-proposal course of as a result of, in comparison with renewable vitality initiatives like photo voltaic and wind, nuclear is extra capital-intensive, takes longer to develop, and is topic to extra regulatory necessities.

“An RFP course of will enable us to method these initiatives completely and thoughtfully with these concerns in thoughts,” it mentioned.

(This story has been corrected to repair the deadline for proposals from Jan. 3 to Jan. 7, in paragraph 8)

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Reporting by Timothy Gardner; enhancing by Jonathan Oatis

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab

Ella Bennet
Ella Bennet
Ella Bennet brings a fresh perspective to the world of journalism, combining her youthful energy with a keen eye for detail. Her passion for storytelling and commitment to delivering reliable information make her a trusted voice in the industry. Whether she’s unraveling complex issues or highlighting inspiring stories, her writing resonates with readers, drawing them in with clarity and depth.
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