Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META), the parent company of Facebook, is making a significant move towards nuclear energy to power its data centers and support the U.S. electric grid. The company announced on Tuesday that it is seeking proposals from nuclear power developers to deliver between 1 to 4 gigawatts of nuclear generation capacity, with operations expected to commence in the early 2030s. This initiative is part of Meta's broader strategy to meet its artificial intelligence and environmental goals amid a projected surge in electricity demand.

The company emphasized the role of nuclear energy in providing a cleaner, more reliable, and diversified electric grid. According to estimates by Goldman Sachs, U.S. data center power use is anticipated to triple between 2023 and 2030, necessitating approximately 47 gigawatts of new generation capacity. However, the path to meeting this demand with nuclear power is fraught with challenges, including regulatory hurdles, potential uranium supply issues, and local opposition.

Meta's interest in nuclear energy follows similar moves by other tech giants. Microsoft and Constellation Energy recently announced a deal to restart a unit at the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania, marking the first-ever restart for a data center. Similarly, Amazon.com Inc. has invested in a nuclear-powered data center from Talen Energy.

Meta is open to proposals for both small modular reactors, which are still emerging in the market, and larger reactors akin to the current U.S. nuclear fleet. The company is particularly interested in developers with expertise in community engagement, development, and permitting. The request-for-proposal process will remain open until January 3, 2025, allowing Meta to thoroughly evaluate potential projects given the capital-intensive and regulatory nature of nuclear energy compared to renewable sources like solar and wind.

This strategic move by Meta underscores the growing interest among tech companies in nuclear power as a viable solution to meet the increasing energy demands of data centers, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and other technologies.