The Meta-Vistra deal: A closer look

The PPAs include 2,176 MW of power generation from Vistra's two single-unit Ohio plants, Davis-Besse and Perry, as well as 433 MW of combined power-output increases from those facilities and the two-unit Beaver Valley plant in Pennsylvania. (As Nuclear Newswire readers will no doubt unfondly recall, Davis-Besse and Perry were both slated for early retirement just a few years ago, when owned by FirstEnergy. Vistra announced plans to acquire Energy Harbor, FirstEnergy’s successor, in March 2023, and closed the deal about one year later.)

According to Irving, Texas–based Vistra, the PPAs will grow the local tax base, foster economic development in the region, and protect existing jobs while creating new ones. Vistra also said that it will now commence the planning for subsequent license renewal applications for all three plants. SLR approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission would extend each unit's license for an additional 20 years. Currently, Beaver Valley-1 is licensed to operate to 2036, with Unit 2 licensed to 2047. Davis-Besse and Perry are licensed to 2037 and 2046, respectively. Perry, which entered commercial operation in 1987, was approved for an initial license renewal term of 20 years in July 2025.

Under the agreements, Meta's purchases will begin in late 2026, with additional capacity added to the grid through 2034.

From the C-suite: “This is a unique and exciting collaboration, and Vistra is proud to partner with Meta on these long-term power purchase agreements, which ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of Vistra’s Beaver Valley, Davis-Besse, and Perry nuclear power plants for decades to come, while providing a competitive solution for our customer to support its sustainable operations,” said Jim Burke, Vistra's president and chief executive officer. “Importantly, this commitment from Meta provides Vistra the certainty needed to invest in these plants and communities and bring new nuclear generation online for the grid through uprates at our existing plants.”

Urvi Parekh, head of global energy at Meta, noted that her company is investing in nuclear energy “because it provides clean, reliable power that is essential for advancing our AI ambitions and strengthening American leadership in energy innovation.”

Bipartisan support: “Bringing new nuclear generation on line is key to Ohio and our nation's growth and security, and Vistra's significant investment is a huge win for Ohio,” stated Sen. Bernie Moreno (R., Ohio). “Thanks to this announcement, essential plants will remain on the grid for the long term, supporting jobs and local revenues.”"

Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania added, “This partnership between Vistra and Meta taps [into] Pennsylvania's strengths as a national energy leader and will create and protect good-paying jobs, grow our economy, and ultimately add more power to the grid. . . . Projects like this—bringing new clean energy to our grid to power next-generation technology—are exactly the types of projects we want to welcome to the Commonwealth.”