Meta, Facebook's parent company, has announced that it is looking for nuclear energy developers to support its goal of developing artificial intelligence (AI).
This move shows that nuclear energy is gradually becoming a strategic choice for technology "giants" in the context of strong growth in global electricity demand.
Bold plan
According to the announcement, Meta aims to add 1-4 gigawatts (GW) of new nuclear power capacity in the United States. Currently, a typical nuclear plant in the United States has a capacity of about 1 GW.
“At Meta, we believe nuclear energy will play an important role in building a cleaner, more stable and more diversified electricity grid,” the company stressed in a statement.
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| The logo of the Meta Platforms group of companies is seen in Brussels, Belgium, December 6, 2022. Photo: Reuters |
According to Goldman Sachs, electricity demand at US data centers is expected to triple between 2023 and 2030, requiring about 47 GW of new generating capacity. In particular, AI data centers consume huge amounts of electricity to operate servers and cooling systems.
But meeting this demand quickly with nuclear power is not easy. Companies face a complex approval process from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), difficulties in the uranium fuel supply chain, and opposition from local communities.
Attention from tech giants
Meta isn’t the first tech company to take a leap of faith in nuclear power. Last September, Microsoft and Constellation Energy announced a deal to restart a unit of its Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania, the first time a nuclear facility has been repurposed for a data center.
Amazon also partnered with Talen Energy in March to acquire a nuclear-powered data center. These moves reflect a shift in how tech companies approach energy, aiming to ensure sustainability and meet operational requirements.
Meta said it is looking for developers with experience in community engagement, project development and permitting. The company is open to considering both small nuclear reactors (SMRs) — a promising new technology that has not yet been commercialized — and large reactors similar to those currently in use in the United States.
Small reactors are expected to become the ideal solution for data centers due to their compact size, flexible manufacturing capabilities, and increased safety compared to large reactors. However, high initial development costs and regulatory hurdles remain major obstacles.
The United States currently leads the world in the number of SMR projects in the testing phase, with the hope of commercializing the technology within the next decade. If successful, SMRs would provide a major opportunity to integrate nuclear power into high-tech infrastructure.
Nuclear energy for sustainability
Nuclear power is seen as a key factor in achieving global greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), nuclear power currently accounts for about 10% of global electricity supply and is the second largest source of carbon-free electricity generation after hydropower.
In the United States, nuclear plants provide about 20 percent of the country’s electricity, or more than 770 billion kWh per year. Compared to fossil fuels, nuclear power not only produces virtually zero carbon emissions, but also provides a more stable source of electricity than renewables like wind and solar.
Meta’s move to nuclear power is not only a way for the company to meet its growing electricity needs, but also a strategic move toward achieving its sustainability goals. It is also a sign that major tech companies are actively participating in the energy revolution to mitigate the impact of climate change.
With these pioneering steps, Meta not only asserts its leading position in the field of AI but also contributes to the development of the nuclear energy industry. Whether nuclear energy will become a long-term solution for technology companies remains a big question. However, Meta's move will certainly open up important discussions and have a profound impact on the future of the energy industry.
Source: https://congthuong.vn/meta-dat-cuoc-vao-nang-luong-hat-nhan-de-phat-trien-ai-362426.html
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