Meta has made a deal to keep the Illinois nuclear power plant operational for the next 20 years so that it can strengthen its artificial intelligence and data center ambitions.
The deal buys 1.1 GW of power from the nuclear power provider constellation from its Clinton Clean Energy Center in Southern Illinois starting at 2027, Mata. Said On 3 June.
“As we look at our future energy needs in advancing AI, we recognize the vast value of nuclear power in providing reliable, firm electricity,” Meta said.
Meta, like other technical giants, is bending heavily in AI amidst continuous promotion around technology and embedded its own AI model in its flagship social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram. It is planning to fully automate advertising on those platforms by the end of 2025, Wall Street Journal Informed On 2 June.
Currently, AI technology requires large amounts of energy that is in high demand. International energy agency Informed The demand for electricity from AI data centers in April is more than doubled by 2030, “Today is slightly higher than Japan’s entire power consumption.”
Meta stated that the agreement ensures a “important plant online” and meets the growing energy needs, adding the aged capacity of 30 MW in the grid.
Meta stated that its partnership with the constellation would preserve more than 1,100 jobs and would contribute $ 13.5 million annually to tax revenue without tapping in the state’s zero emission credit program – maintaining operations without additional retarder support.
There were many Illinois MPs Happy To hear about the deal, including Republican Regan Dering, who said it was a “forward thinking investment” that would promote the local economy.
Clinton almost stopped in 2017
Despite being one of the best performing nuclear plants in the state, Clinton Nuclear Facility was set to shut down in 2017 after many years of financial loss. noted In his June 3 statement.
However, it was rescued by the enactment of Illinois’ Future Energy Jobs Act, which until the mid -2010 established the Zero Emission Credit Program to support the plant.
Nakshatra agreement with Meta means that Clinton Plant can work without taxpayer support.
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One Analysis In March, it was found from the consulting firm Bratal Group that Clinton would increase more than 34 million metric tons of carbon in 20 years from shuttering-equivalent to inserting about 7.4 million gasoline-operated cars on the road for one year.
Bratal also estimated that Illinois’ GDP would fall $ 765 million annually if the facility of clinton would be to prevent operation.
Meta said it is progressing on the requests of proposals to identify other nuclear power operators to help the firm meet its AI innovation and stability targets.
“We) are in the final discussion with a shortlist of potential projects to meet our 1-4 gigawatt targets,” Meta said. Announcement Initiative last December.
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