Nuclear Stocks Surge as Meta Taps Atomic Power for AI Push
Vistra Corp. and Oklo shares jumped after the tech giant announced long-term deals to secure carbon-free energy for its power-hungry data centers.
Shares of nuclear energy companies rallied sharply after Meta Platforms Inc. signaled a significant long-term commitment to atomic power, seeking a stable, carbon-free energy source to fuel the growth of its artificial intelligence operations.
Vistra Corp. (VST), an established power generator with a market capitalization of over $52 billion, saw its stock climb 10.4% to $166.23 in recent trading. Meanwhile, shares of Oklo Inc. (OKLO), a next-generation nuclear innovator, surged 7.8% to $105.23, reflecting investor optimism for the sector's future.
The catalyst for the rally was Meta's move to secure nuclear power for its rapidly expanding data centers. The social media and AI giant has entered into agreements with Vistra, Oklo, and TerraPower, with the goal of securing up to 6.6 gigawatts of clean nuclear energy by 2035. The most immediate of these is a landmark 20-year power purchase agreement with Vistra for over 2,600 megawatts from nuclear plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania, described as the largest nuclear capacity increase backed by a U.S. corporate buyer.
This strategic pivot by one of Big Tech's largest players directly addresses the 'energy paradox' of the AI boom. While AI development promises unprecedented technological advancement, it requires a staggering amount of electricity. Global electricity consumption from data centers, already vast, is projected to more than double by 2030, with AI workloads becoming a primary driver of that demand. For tech companies pursuing ambitious ESG goals, finding a power source that is both reliable and carbon-free is a critical challenge.
"The Vistra agreement is a watershed moment, validating nuclear power as an essential energy source for the tech industry's AI ambitions," noted a sector analyst. Unlike intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind, nuclear provides constant, 24/7 baseload power, a crucial requirement for data centers that can never go offline.
The inclusion of Oklo in Meta's plans highlights a bet on the future of the industry. Oklo, which has yet to generate revenue, is focused on developing small-scale, advanced fission power plants. The vote of confidence from a titan like Meta provides significant validation for its technology and business model, signaling that tech giants are looking toward next-generation solutions for long-term energy security.
The market's positive reaction reflects a broader trend that has seen the nuclear energy sector outperform the S&P 500 over the past year. However, the path isn't without volatility. Some nuclear-focused stocks, such as NuScale Power, experienced a sharp sell-off in late 2025 amid concerns of a potential "AI bubble" and a lack of firm customer orders, according to market reports. Yet, Meta's concrete, long-term offtake agreements provide a powerful counter-narrative, demonstrating tangible, industrial demand.
As other technology giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft grapple with the same energy constraints, Meta's decisive step into nuclear power may serve as a blueprint, potentially heralding a renaissance for an industry poised at the intersection of technology and clean energy.