Meta’s Nuclear Deal Underscores Looming Gap for AI’s Power Needs

Meta Platforms Inc.’s flashy deal this week for nuclear power was just the latest sign of the technology industry’s need for more energy — and fast. And while the top US reactor companies are eager to sign more contracts, the big question remains: Will new generation come online quickly enough?

Data-center demand is rapidly disrupting the power grid as tech companies clamor for electricity to run artificial intelligence. That’s revealing a fundamental mismatch with the energy industry, which typically requires years or decades to plan and build new power plants. Even with a few recent high-profile nuclear deals, it’s ...