Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) has encountered a major setback in its plans to build a nuclear-powered AI data center in the United States. The discovery of a rare bee species on the proposed site has thrown a wrench into the project, adding to the existing environmental and regulatory challenges.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg had envisioned a partnership with an existing nuclear power plant operator to provide emissions-free electricity for the new data center. However, the project has faced numerous obstacles, including environmental concerns and regulatory hurdles. This information was revealed by Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The discovery of the rare bee species on the land adjacent to the plant, where the data center was intended to be built, further complicated the project. Zuckerberg disclosed this development during a company-wide meeting last week.
Despite this setback, Meta remains committed to finding carbon-free energy alternatives and is actively exploring options including nuclear power.
Tech Giants Embracing Nuclear Energy
The tech industry’s insatiable appetite for electricity to fuel the AI boom has spurred a significant shift towards nuclear power. Meta’s competitors, including Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN), Alphabet Inc.’s (GOOG, GOOGL) Google, and Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), have already secured deals with nuclear power plant operators to meet the growing energy demands of their data centers.
In September, Microsoft announced plans to reactivate the dormant nuclear facility at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania. Amazon invested $650 million in March to establish a data center adjacent to the Susquehanna Steam Electric nuclear plant, also located in Pennsylvania. Last month, Google revealed its intention to purchase power from small modular reactor (SMR) developer Kairos Power.
Meta’s situation underscores the challenges and complexities involved in constructing large-scale data centers, especially those relying on nuclear power. While the company explores other energy options, the discovery of the rare bee species highlights the importance of environmental considerations in technological advancements.
