Rare Bees Hinder Meta's Plans for a Nuclear-Powered AI Facility

Meta had aspirations to construct an advanced AI data center in the United States, powered by nuclear energy. The company had even pinpointed the exact site for this ambitious project. However, as reported by the Financial Times, these plans took an unexpected turn when a rare species of bee was found inhabiting the designated land.

Zuckerberg's Vision for Emission-Free Energy

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, was reportedly on the brink of finalizing an agreement with a nuclear power plant operator. This deal would have secured emission-free energy for the facility. Unfortunately, the discovery of the bees introduced several regulatory hurdles, prompting the company to abandon the project.

Competition Among Tech Giants

Despite this setback, Zuckerberg mentioned to his team that a nuclear-powered AI center could still become a reality if an alternative site is found swiftly. This urgency stems from competitors who are also channeling efforts into nuclear alternatives. Microsoft, for example, announced plans to reactivate the Three Mile Island nuclear plant for its AI pursuits. Additionally, Google has partnered with Kairos Power to establish multiple small reactors by 2030, and Amazon has entered into agreements to develop modular reactors.

Searching for New Opportunities

The Financial Times article did not clarify if Meta is currently seeking a different location that doesn't conflict with wildlife conservation. However, it did reveal Meta is exploring several possibilities for clean energy solutions, including nuclear, to fuel its upcoming AI infrastructure.