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Meta Explores Nuclear Power For AI And Sustainability Goals

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 4, 2024

Meta is forging a new path to achieve its artificial intelligence and environmental objectives by embracing nuclear energy. The tech giant announced on Tuesday its plan to collaborate with nuclear power developers to add between 1 and 4 gigawatts of U.S. nuclear capacity, aiming for operational deployment in the early 2030s. Unlike renewable sources such as solar and wind, nuclear energy provides the reliability and scale necessary for large-scale data centres. However, its development demands greater capital investment, longer timelines, and stricter regulatory compliance

The Growing Role of Nuclear Power

Meta’s initiative reflects the increasing interest among tech companies in nuclear energy as a solution to rising electricity demands and sustainability commitments. According to Meta:

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“Nuclear energy will play a pivotal role in the transition to a cleaner, more reliable, and diversified electric grid.”

This move comes as data centre energy consumption is expected to surge, tripling from 2023 to 2030 and requiring an additional 47 gigawatts of power generation, according to Goldman Sachs.

Meta is not alone. Competitors like Microsoft and Amazon have also embraced nuclear energy. In September, Microsoft partnered with Constellation Energy to restart a nuclear unit at Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island. Earlier this year, Amazon secured a nuclear-powered data centre from Talen Energy.

Challenges Ahead

Despite its potential, nuclear energy development in the U.S. faces hurdles:

Regulatory Bottlenecks: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is already stretched thin, potentially delaying approvals.
Uranium Supply Issues: Ensuring a steady fuel supply poses logistical challenges.
Local Opposition: Community resistance to nuclear projects can complicate site selection and development.

A Broader Trend in Big Tech

Meta’s nuclear ambitions align with a broader trend in the tech sector to secure reliable and sustainable energy sources. As the demand for AI-driven technologies grows, companies are increasingly investing in cutting-edge solutions to power their operations while adhering to environmental goals.

With its forward-thinking approach and commitment to sustainability, Meta’s nuclear venture could serve as a model for others navigating the challenges of an energy-intensive digital future.

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Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

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Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.