Nuclear energy stocks are back in the spotlight as Meta $META ( ▲ 1.08% ) ramps up long-term power sourcing for its rapidly expanding data center footprint. Shares of utility giant Vistra $VST ( ▲ 10.47% ) and advanced nuclear startup Oklo $OKLO ( ▲ 7.9% ) surged Friday after both companies announced major agreements with the social media heavyweight.
The moves underscore how hyperscalers are increasingly willing to lock in energy supply years in advance as AI-driven electricity demand explodes.
Meta Locks In Nuclear Power With Vistra
Meta signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Vistra that will see the company buy output from three nuclear plants to support its regional operations. More than 15% of the contracted capacity will be newly added to the PJM grid, the largest power market in the U.S. and a hotspot for rising electricity prices.
The deal echoes Meta’s June agreement with Constellation Energy, another long-term nuclear PPA tied to an Illinois facility. For Vistra, the agreement reinforces its status as a go-to utility for big tech firms looking for reliable, carbon-free baseload power.
Oklo Gets Funding Path for Next-Gen Reactors
Meta also struck a deal with Oklo that goes beyond a traditional power contract. The agreement gives Meta a mechanism to prepay for electricity while providing Oklo with funding to advance development of its Aurora powerhouse reactors.
Oklo is targeting first-phase operations as early as 2030, with the goal of supplying power directly to Meta’s regional data centers. While Oklo currently generates no revenue, the deal adds credibility and financial runway to its long-term nuclear ambitions.
Nuclear Becomes the AI Energy Hedge
Beyond Vistra and Oklo, Meta has also partnered with privately held TerraPower to develop up to eight reactors and energy storage facilities in the U.S., with the first potentially coming online by 2032.
The push aligns with the Trump administration’s public support for nuclear power as a solution to competing priorities: scaling AI, supporting domestic energy production, and keeping electricity prices in check. Critics note that nuclear projects come with long lead times, making them ineffective for near-term relief.
But for hyperscalers planning decade-long data center buildouts, patience is the point. Locking in nuclear power today offers long-term price stability, grid reliability, and a cleaner path to fueling the AI boom tomorrow.