Meta Global Affairs CEO Joel Kaplan told FOX Business that the tech company’s new nuclear power deals will create thousands of skilled jobs and strengthen the US power grid.
Meta’s latest nuclear power deals will help the US “win” the artificial intelligence (AI) race against China as rising electricity demand strains the country’s power grid, the company’s Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan told FOX Business.
The tech giant announced Friday that it has signed 20-year power purchase agreements for Vistra-owned nuclear plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania, while also helping to develop new nuclear projects with Oklo and TerraPower.
The deals could provide up to 6.6 gigawatts of power by 2035, according to Kaplan.
“We’re very excited about this opportunity to partner with major American companies and the Trump administration, to deliver this, this massive investment in nuclear power — up to 6.6 gigawatts by 2035,” Kaplan told FOX Business on Friday.
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Meta’s global chief executive, Joel Kaplan, said the deals could provide up to 6.6 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2035. (FOX Business)
Kaplan added, “It’s just a huge contribution to the economy, and it will really help this country win the AI race against China.”
Under the deals, Meta will buy power from Vistra’s Perry and Davis-Besse plants in Ohio and the Beaver Valley plant in Pennsylvania.
| A ticker | Security | Finally | Change | change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| META | META PLATFORMS INC. | 658.77 | -5.68 |
-0.85% |
| VST | Company VISTRA CORP. | 166.41 | +15,89 |
+ 10.56% |
| OK | Company OKLO INC | 105.31 | +7,71 |
+7.90% |
Meta will also support the development of small modular nuclear reactors by Oklo and TerraPower.
TerraPower is backed by billionaire Bill Gates.
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A state-of-the-art data center with server racks is shown here. (iStock / Stock)
Kaplan said the investment will bring direct benefits to local communities.
“These data centers are creating thousands of new jobs, and these are good, skilled jobs — pipefitters, metal workers, electricians, HVAC, plumbers — good, high-paying, skilled jobs,” Kaplan said. “We are therefore very pleased with the impact this major infrastructure investment is having on the local community.”
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The Meta logo is shown in this file photo. (Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Kaplan added that the new agreements, combined with Meta’s previous agreement to keep the Illinois nuclear plant operating for another 20 years, will make Meta one of the largest buyers of nuclear power in US history.
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“This is a real win for local communities, and we’re very grateful for the partnership we have with them,” Kaplan said.
Reuters contributed to this report.
