Meta and Constellation Sign Nuclear Power Deal: The Clinton Clean Energy Center
The Clinton Clean Energy Center, owned and operated by Constellation was set to close this upcoming 2027 as it neared the end of its licensing term for operation. This closure would have led to the cut-off of over a GW of power to Illinois, enough to power over 800,000 homes with clean energy. However, the plant in Clinton Illinois now sees another 20 years of continued power generation. Today, Meta and Constellation signed a 20 year power purchase agreement that lays out the details for the previously known Facebook to meet its clean energy goals with nuclear power.
Meta plans to build and operate data storage centers to house the future of artificial intelligence in the near future. The company’s intentions to implement clean nuclear energy as a power source is a great step towards achieving the world’s climate goals. Meta will be joining many other companies in this future nuclear generating group as Amazon, Microsoft, and many other companies around the world pledge to increase nuclear production.
Clinton Clean Energy Center began operation on April 17th, 1987 where it stood to supply the state of Illinois with 1062MWe. It provided 4200 jobs to the area, stimulating the region’s economy. The plant houses one General Electric Boiling Water Reactor and provides 4200 jobs to the area, stimulating the region’s economy. The plant was originally slated to be shut down in 2017 before its lifetime was extended by 10 years as an outcome of the Future Energy Jobs Act demanding more clean energy jobs.
Meta and Constellation are looking to bring many upgrades to the over nearly 40 year old plant. The plant will see improvements that will add 30 MW to the plant’s power generation. “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.
