Meta–Oklo Nuclear Deal and CEO Warn that AI‑Driven Power Demand Will Outrun U.S. Grid Without Faster Build‑Out
Meta has struck deals with advanced-nuclear developer Oklo to supply clean power for AI data centers as Oklo CEO Jacob DeWitte warns the U.S. could "run out of power capacity" within years—particularly in industrial regions like the Midwest and Northeast and within the PJM grid—if new generation isn’t built faster. DeWitte says smaller advanced reactors can shorten build times and lower costs to meet surging AI-driven demand, credits recent regulatory easing for helping projects move forward, and argues large buyers’ commitments (about 6.6 GW by firms like Meta) will add supply rather than simply raise prices.
📌 Key Facts
- Oklo CEO Jacob DeWitte warns the U.S. will “run out of power capacity” within the next several years, particularly in critical industrial markets like the Midwest and Northeast, and says the PJM interconnection will be undersupplied in a few years.
- DeWitte argues smaller advanced nuclear plants can shorten build times and learning curves, cut costs, and bring new generation online faster to address growing AI‑driven power demand.
- He credits President Trump and Energy Secretary Chris Wright with greatly reducing regulatory burdens on private power projects, which he says has helped firms such as Oklo and large buyers like Meta.
- Meta and other large buyers have committed to roughly 6.6 GW of new capacity; DeWitte says such large procurement commitments should expand supply rather than simply soak it up.
- DeWitte characterizes fears that new data centers automatically drive up electricity prices as a “scarcity mindset,” arguing faster build‑out and committed supply can prevent price spikes.
📊 Relevant Data
U.S. data center power demand is projected to reach 106 GW by 2035, driven largely by AI growth.
U.S. data center power demand could reach 106 GW by 2035 — Utility Dive
PJM Interconnection's 2025 forecast projects peak demand to climb to 210 GW by 2035, with warnings of power shortages as early as 2027 without significant supply increases.
PJM: How much demand growth is possible? — Modo Energy
Executive orders in 2025 aimed to reduce regulatory burdens on nuclear energy, including limiting delays and revising environmental reviews to accelerate development.
President Trump Signs Orders Incentivizing New Nuclear Energy — EVA Inc.
Black and Latino households pay 13-18% more on average for energy per square foot compared to White households.
Race, rates, and energy insecurity: exploring racial disparities in electricity costs and consumption in U.S. utility service areas — Nature Scientific Reports
The U.S. nuclear energy workforce in 2024 was 68% White, 11% Black, 9% Asian, with 16% Hispanic or Latino, and 67% male.
2025 United States Energy & Employment Report — U.S. Department of Energy
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"The piece argues that the political backlash to massive, AI‑driven data‑center growth is predictable and significant, and that tech companies — exemplified by moves like Meta’s power deals — should proactively address energy, equity and local‑benefit concerns to defuse resistance rather than expect opposition to disappear."
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Oklo CEO Jacob DeWitte explicitly warns that the U.S. will 'run out of power capacity' within the next several years, particularly in critical industrial markets like the Midwest and Northeast, and that the PJM interconnection will be undersupplied with generation in a few years.
- DeWitte frames smaller advanced nuclear plants as a way to shorten build times and learning curves, cut costs and bring new generation online faster in the AI era.
- He credits President Trump and Energy Secretary Chris Wright with helping firms like Oklo and Meta by 'greatly reduc[ing] the regulatory burdens' on private power projects.
- DeWitte characterizes fears that new data centers automatically drive up prices as a 'scarcity mindset,' arguing that large buyers like Meta are committing to 6.6 GW of new capacity that should expand supply rather than just soak it up.