US power utility Constellation (formerly Exelon Generation) and information technology company Meta have signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for the output of the Clinton Clean Energy Centre to support Meta’s energy goals and operations in the region. From June 2027, the agreement supports the relicensing and continued operations of Constellation’s Clinton nuclear facility for another two decades after the state’s ratepayer funded Zero Emission Credit (ZEC) programme expires.
The Clinton Clean Energy Centre was slated for premature closure in 2017 after years of financial losses, despite being one of the best performing nuclear plants in Illinois. Clinton’s retirement was prevented by enactment of the Future Energy Jobs Act, which established ZEC, which provides financial support to the plant through mid-2027.
In February 2024, Constellation applied to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to renew the Clinton licence. The filing began a comprehensive review to renew the station’s licence for another 20 years with adequate market or policy support. The single unit 1,062 MWe boiling water reactor at Clinton began operation in 1987 and is currently licensed to operate until April of 2027.
Constellation’s agreement with Meta is a market-based solution that essentially replaces the ZEC programme and ensures long-term operations of the plant without ratepayer support. The PPA will enable the Clinton Clean Energy Centre to continue supplying power onto the local grid. Meta is purchasing the plant’s clean energy attributes as part of its commitment to match 100% of its electricity use with clean and renewable energy.
The Clinton Clean Energy Centre directly employs more than 530 people, contributes approximately $13.5m in annual taxes, and generates enough electricity to power over 800,000 homes. An analysis by The Brattle Group found that shuttering Clinton would raise emissions by more than 34m tonnes of carbon over 20 years. The same report found that Illinois’ GDP would drop by $765m annually, impacting businesses and jobs across multiple industries. Constellation’s deal with Meta prevents these impacts.
The agreement with Meta will allow Constellation to add more energy to the grid in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) zone four territory, covering central and southern Illinois. Under the deal, Clinton will add 30 MWe of increased output from nuclear uprates. With the guarantee that Clinton will continue to run for another two decades, Constellation is also evaluating strategies to extend the plant’s existing early site permit or seek a new construction permit from NRC to pursue development of an advanced nuclear reactor or small modular reactor (SMR) at the Clinton site.
“Constellation’s Clinton nuclear plant has long been an important part of our local economy, supporting a vibrant community with great jobs, excellent schools and well-resourced fire and police departments,” said Clinton Mayor Helen Michelassi. “While many other communities are losing jobs and tax revenues, Meta is investing in our future, preserving good-paying jobs, and driving economic development for decades to come.”
Joe Dominguez, President & CEO of Constellation, recalled: “Last year, Constellation’s announced plan to restart the Crane Clean Energy Centre [formerly the Three Mile Island NPP] became national news, but despite all of the interest and overwhelming support, a key question was missed: why did we let such a valuable plant close in the first place? We all know that the closure cost our community jobs, tax revenue, more pollution and higher prices,” said. “We are proud to partner with Meta because they asked that important question, and even better, they figured out that supporting the relicensing and expansion of existing plants is just as impactful as finding new sources of energy. Sometimes the most important part of our journey forward is to stop taking steps backwards.”
Urvi Parekh, Head of Global Energy at Meta, noted: “We are excited to partner with Constellation and the Clinton community to ensure the long-term operations of the nuclear plant, add new capacity, and help preserve over 1,000 jobs. Securing clean, reliable energy is necessary to continue advancing our AI ambitions. We are proud to help keep the Clinton plant operating for years to come and demonstrate that this plant is an important piece to strengthening American leadership in energy.”
