From Sun to Steam — How Meta Is Fueling the AI Boom with Every Available Energy Source
The global push for artificial intelligence has brought more than just technological challenges — it’s also creating a massive strain on energy supplies . While chip shortages have dominated headlines, the real bottleneck may now be electricity , with tech giants like Meta turning to nuclear power plants and renewable energy projects to keep their data centers running.
AI’s Growing Hunger for Power
Data centers are the backbone of modern AI development, but they come at a high cost: energy consumption is skyrocketing . As a result, companies like Meta are investing heavily in securing stable and sustainable power sources.
This isn’t just about keeping up with demand — it’s about ensuring that AI growth doesn’t derail corporate sustainability goals.
Meta Expands Renewable Energy Investments
According to a recent report by Reuters , Meta has signed four new agreements with Invenergy , a leading renewable energy developer, to supply 791 megawatts (MW) of solar and wind power to its data centers.
This latest deal builds on a previous agreement from last year, which secured 760 MW of solar energy , bringing Meta’s total renewable energy commitment with Invenergy to an impressive 1,800 MW .
The clean energy will be sourced from Invenergy’s projects in Ohio, Arkansas, and Texas , helping Meta reduce its reliance on fossil fuels while supporting regional green energy development.
While renewables can’t match the output of large-scale nuclear or coal plants, they play a crucial role in powering parts of Meta’s growing infrastructure — and aligning with the company’s environmental commitments.
Nuclear Power Enters the Equation
Despite its investments in renewables, Meta knows that solar and wind alone won’t be enough to meet the relentless energy demands of AI.
In response, the company has been exploring nuclear energy as a long-term solution.
Last year, Meta issued a request for proposals (RFP) aimed at identifying potential nuclear energy developers in the United States, with the goal of generating 1–4 gigawatts (GW) of new nuclear capacity by the early 2030s.
In June of this year, Meta partnered with Constellation Energy to revive a closed nuclear plant in Illinois , which had been shut down since 2017 due to financial difficulties. If successful, this plant could provide Meta with a reliable source of carbon-free energy for up to 20 years .
Sustainability Goals Under Pressure
Many tech giants, including Meta, previously committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040 . However, the rapid expansion of AI and data centers is making those targets increasingly difficult to reach.
With energy demand rising faster than expected, some companies are calling for revisions to net-zero frameworks , arguing that current timelines and standards may no longer reflect the reality of modern computing needs.
Renewable energy and nuclear investments are part of the solution — but they may not be enough unless broader policy and infrastructure changes take place.
The Road Ahead
As AI continues to evolve, so too must the way we power it. Companies like Meta are caught between two competing priorities:
- Supporting the next wave of AI innovation
- Staying true to ambitious climate commitments
Their strategy — combining renewables, nuclear energy, and policy advocacy — may set a precedent for how the tech industry balances progress and sustainability in the coming decade.
