Plans by Mark Zuckerberg’s company, Meta, to create a data center powered by nuclear energy in the U.S. have hit a snag. Sources say that the discovery of a rare species of bee on the proposed site has complicated the project.
Zuckerberg intended to partner with a nuclear power plant to secure emissions-free electricity for the new data center, which was aimed at supporting Meta’s ambitions in artificial intelligence (AI). However, discussions ran into problems involving environmental regulations and other challenges.
During a recent company-wide meeting, Zuckerberg mentioned the rare bee finding as a significant obstacle, according to insiders.
This setback comes as other tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have successfully formed partnerships with nuclear plant operators to meet the growing energy needs of their AI infrastructures. Just one AI operation can consume as much energy as ten standard Google searches on average.
Despite the difficulties, Meta remains interested in pursuing various options for carbon-free energy sources, including nuclear power. However, the nuclear energy landscape faces criticism due to the substantial upfront costs, lengthy construction timelines, and concerns over the safe management of toxic radioactive waste.
Recently, Microsoft announced a plan to revive the Three Mile Island nuclear facility in Pennsylvania, while Amazon invested $650 million to build a data center adjacent to the Susquehanna Steam Electric nuclear plant, also located in Pennsylvania. Additionally, Google made headlines by commissioning several small modular nuclear reactors from the U.S. start-up, Kairos Power, marking a significant move in the tech industry towards nuclear energy.
Zuckerberg is under pressure to demonstrate that the company’s heavy investments in AI will pay off, especially as costs associated with operating data centers continue to rise. He had expressed to his staff that Meta could have been the first major tech firm to harness nuclear power for AI, boasting the largest nuclear facility to power its operations.
While Zuckerberg seeks viable nuclear options in the U.S., he is frustrated by the noticeable disparity between the U.S. and China in terms of nuclear energy expansion. China has been rapidly advancing its nuclear reactor developments, contrasting sharply with the limited progress seen in the U.S. over the past two decades.
Meanwhile, Meta has proudly achieved “net zero” emissions in its operations since 2020.