Meta Platforms Inc., the technology giant behind Facebook, has entered into a landmark 20-year agreement to assume the clean energy subsidies for Constellation Energy’s Clinton nuclear power station in central Illinois. This strategic move, announced on June 3, is poised to fundamentally reshape Illinois’ energy policy and could establish a new paradigm for corporate investment in nuclear power, particularly as the state faces burgeoning electricity demands from rapidly expanding data centers.

Under the terms of the agreement, Meta will take over the financial support that Illinois ratepayers have provided to the Clinton plant since 2017, which amounted to $777 million. While Meta is not purchasing electricity directly or reserving generating capacity, it is acquiring the plant’s clean energy “attributes.” This grants Meta the exclusive right to claim the carbon-free electricity generated by the Clinton facility to offset fossil fuel consumption across its global operations, aligning with its commitment to achieve 100% renewable and clean power by 2030. Industry analysts estimate this commitment could translate into an investment of approximately $2 billion by Meta over the two-decade period.

Constellation Energy, the largest nuclear power provider in the United States and owner of all six Illinois nuclear plants, views this agreement as a potential blueprint for its four other Illinois facilities whose ratepayer subsidies are slated to expire in 2027. Mason Emnett, Constellation’s Senior Vice President for Public Policy, emphasized the significance of this deal, noting that discussions are already underway with Meta regarding the potential for a second, and possibly a third, reactor at the Clinton site. This expansion prospect is particularly notable given that the Clinton plant, a single-reactor facility, was previously on a trajectory toward potential shutdown.

This corporate foray into nuclear financing highlights the escalating energy requirements of artificial intelligence infrastructure. Bob Johnson, a research analyst at Gartner, commented, “The data centers are getting so big, they’re threatening the ability of power grids to supply enough power.” He added that such direct corporate investment could alleviate the burden on general ratepayers while posing new questions about overall grid capacity. Meta’s head of global energy, Urvi Parekh, confirmed the company’s substantial investment in AI infrastructure, projecting up to $65 billion in 2025, an increase from $40 billion last year.

The deal also aligns with broader federal policy shifts, including President Donald Trump’s stated support for nuclear power, which includes plans to quadruple U.S. nuclear output and accelerate licensing processes. This environment provides a favorable backdrop for Meta’s aggressive expansion plans, which are expected to be finalized by the end of the year. The Clinton plant, operational since 1987, has a complex history, including a significant shutdown in the 1990s. However, with Meta’s financial backing, Constellation can proceed with relicensing and necessary investments to ensure the plant’s continued operation for the next two decades, reinforcing its role in Illinois’ energy mix, where nuclear power currently supplies half of the state’s electricity.