TLDRs;
- Oklo shares jumped nearly 8% after unveiling a nuclear energy deal with Meta.
- The agreement includes possible prepayments to fund early reactor development work.
- Insider share sales under pre-arranged plans drew attention during the rally.
- Regulatory approvals and financing terms remain key risks for long-term investors.
Oklo Inc. shares surged nearly 8% on Friday after the company disclosed a landmark agreement with Meta Platforms to support the development of a nuclear-powered energy campus in Ohio, a project aimed at supplying electricity to next-generation artificial intelligence data centers.
The rally pushed OKLO to close at $105.31, after briefly climbing almost 18% earlier in the session, putting the advanced nuclear developer firmly in the spotlight ahead of Monday’s market open.
The move came as Meta unveiled a broader strategy to secure long-term, reliable power for its rapidly expanding AI infrastructure. Alongside 20-year nuclear supply contracts with major U.S. utilities, the tech giant confirmed partnerships with Oklo and TerraPower to develop small modular reactors (SMRs), a new class of compact nuclear plants designed for faster construction and flexible deployment.
Meta Backs Advanced Nuclear
Under the agreement, Oklo will advance plans for a 1.2-gigawatt nuclear power campus in Pike County, Ohio, intended to help supply Meta’s “Prometheus” AI data center complex in New Albany. The data center, expected to come online in 2026, is designed to support energy-intensive workloads from large-scale artificial intelligence models and cloud services.
What excited investors most was the structure of the deal. Oklo revealed that Meta will have the option to prepay for future electricity, with those funds earmarked for early-stage development, fuel procurement, and site preparation. While the exact dollar amount remains undisclosed, the mechanism effectively gives Oklo access to customer-backed financing years before the first reactor produces power.
Chief Executive Jacob DeWitte said the arrangement materially improves project certainty and accelerates timelines. Phase 1 construction and site work are expected to begin in 2026, with initial operations targeted around 2030 and full capacity reached by 2034.
Prepayment Mechanism in Focus
For markets, the unanswered question is how large the prepayment commitment might be and under what conditions it is triggered. Analysts note that early capital support from a blue-chip customer like Meta could significantly de-risk financing for a sector that has historically struggled with cost overruns and long development cycles.
Unlike traditional power purchase agreements that begin once plants are operational, this structure links funding to development milestones. That could allow Oklo to secure long-lead equipment and nuclear fuel earlier than planned, potentially shortening construction schedules and lowering overall project risk.
Still, without clarity on the financial scale, investors remain cautious about how much immediate balance-sheet impact the deal will have.
Insider Sales Draw Attention
Regulatory filings added another layer to Friday’s trading. CEO Jacob DeWitte disclosed the sale of more than 164,000 shares earlier in the week under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, with prices ranging between roughly $94 and $100. Oklo co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Caroline Cochran also reported share sales under a similar automatic plan.
Such transactions are common and scheduled in advance, but their timing alongside a sharp rally inevitably drew scrutiny from short-term traders. Market participants largely viewed the disclosures as neutral, given that the plans were established months earlier and did not reflect real-time reactions to the Meta announcement.
Risks and Regulatory Hurdles
While enthusiasm around AI-driven electricity demand is fueling interest in nuclear developers, challenges remain. Oklo’s reactor designs still require full regulatory approval, and advanced nuclear projects often face lengthy permitting processes, supply-chain bottlenecks, and political scrutiny.
Industry observers point out that even with committed customers, construction timelines can slip, and cost estimates can rise. The company’s long-dated revenue outlook means that near-term valuation will continue to be driven by milestones, regulatory progress, and the strength of strategic partnerships rather than operating cash flow.
What Traders Watch Next
Going into Monday’s session, investors will be looking for any additional disclosures on the size, structure, and timing of Meta’s potential prepayments. Updates on licensing progress and early construction milestones could also influence sentiment.
Another key date on the calendar is Oklo’s next earnings report, scheduled for March 23, 2026, which may offer further insight into funding needs, project timelines, and how customer-backed financing could reshape its development roadmap.
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