Meta has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Constellation for 1,121 megawatts of carbon-free nuclear energy from the Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois, bolstering its clean energy strategy and long-term AI infrastructure ambitions. Beginning in June 2027, the deal ensures continued operation of the Clinton nuclear plant beyond the expiration of Illinois’ Zero Emission Credit (ZEC) program, replacing ratepayer subsidies with private market support.
Under the agreement, Constellation will increase Clinton’s output by 30 megawatts through uprates, preserving over 1,100 local jobs and extending the facility’s operating license. Clinton, which was nearly shut down in 2017 due to financial losses, produces enough emissions-free electricity to power over 800,000 homes annually. The new arrangement allows the plant to avoid more than 34 million metric tons of CO₂ over two decades—equivalent to taking 7.4 million cars off the road for a year.
Meta’s move to secure nuclear power reflects its growing energy demand from AI workloads and hyperscale data centers. The Clinton agreement enables Meta to match 100% of its electricity consumption with clean energy while also strengthening grid reliability in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) zone 4. Constellation is also exploring development of a future small modular reactor (SMR) or advanced reactor at the Clinton site, potentially expanding the region’s low-carbon energy capacity.
- Meta signs 20-year PPA for 1,121 MW of nuclear energy from Clinton Clean Energy Center
- Clinton output to increase by 30 MW through plant uprates
- Deal replaces expiring Illinois ZEC program, ensuring private-sector support
- Agreement avoids 34M metric tons of CO₂ over 20 years
- Clinton powers 800,000+ homes and sustains 1,100+ local jobs
- Constellation evaluating SMR deployment at Clinton site
“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,” said Urvi Parekh, Head of Global Energy at Meta. “Securing clean, reliable energy is necessary to continue advancing our AI ambitions.”
