Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has been forced to pause its plans for constructing a nuclear-powered data center after discovering a rare species of bee on the proposed site for the project, according to international media reports. This center, intended to meet the growing energy demands of the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) projects, aimed to position itself as the largest nuclear facility dedicated to data centers in the world.
The increasing need for energy to power AI systems has led Meta and other major tech companies to consider carbon-free energy sources like nuclear power, which can provide continuous and sustainable energy. However, the recent discovery of the endangered bee has unexpectedly stalled Meta’s project, delaying its efforts to secure a stable and emission-free energy source for its advanced technological operations.
The project, which depended on an agreement with a nuclear plant that would supply the data centerA data center or data processing center (DPC) …, has been halted due to environmental concerns raised during a company meeting, the Financial Times reported. While the exact type of bee discovered has not been disclosed, in the United States, only the rusty patched bumblebee is protected under the Endangered Species Act, and its presence at the proposed location has complicated the company’s plans.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, mentioned that the discovery of this bee has raised not only ecological concerns but also regulatory complexities that have slowed the project down. Despite this pause, Meta remains interested in exploring sustainable alternatives, including the possibility of other nuclear projects or investments in renewable energy, which would allow it to continue meeting its environmental commitments.
The tech industry bets on nuclear energy
Meta’s canceled project reflects a growing trend in the tech sector: the interest in nuclear energy as a sustainable power source for data centers. Companies like Microsoft have already taken steps in this direction, recently announcing a deal with Constellation Energy to reactivate the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania, which was shut down in 1979 following an incident. Microsoft plans to purchase energy from the plant over the next 20 years, and Constellation will invest $1.6 billion for its reactivation.
The growth of AI and the need to reduce carbon emissions have reignited the conversation around nuclear energy in the United States, an alternative that, while less popular than other renewable sources, is gaining traction in discussions about the country’s energy future.
Meta’s situation also illustrates the challenges that large companies face when implementing energy infrastructure projects of this magnitude. In addition to the significant investment and lengthy planning process, compliance with environmental regulations and managing potential impacts on biodiversity are key factors that can influence the success or failure of such initiatives.
As the demand for energy for data centers grows, Meta and other companies will continue to explore sustainable options to reduce their carbon footprint, in a context where technology and environmental preservation do not always align without obstacles.