Tech Giants Turn to Nuclear Power for AI Data Centers
In a significant shift towards sustainable energy solutions, major technology companies are increasingly investing in nuclear power to meet the growing energy demands of their AI data centers. This move aligns with their sustainability goals and the pursuit of net-zero emissions, as nuclear energy offers a clean and constant power supply.
Leading the charge in this nuclear renaissance are industry giants Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI. These companies are exploring various avenues to integrate nuclear power into their operations, from developing small modular reactors to reviving existing nuclear facilities.
Amazon has made substantial strides in this direction, announcing agreements for the development of small modular reactors to power its data centers. The company is partnering with Energy Northwest to construct and operate reactors in Washington state. Additionally, Amazon has invested $500 million in X-Energy for reactor designs and is exploring reactor development with Dominion Energy near the North Anna nuclear power station in Virginia. In a bold move, the e-commerce giant has also purchased a nuclear-powered data center from Talen Energy, emphasizing nuclear energy as a scalable, carbon-free solution.
Microsoft, not to be left behind, has entered a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy for nuclear power. The tech behemoth plans to revive part of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania, aiming to use nuclear energy to meet its ambitious carbon-negative goals by 2030. The energy from this plant will support data center expansion in Pennsylvania and nearby states.
Google is also making significant strides in the nuclear arena, investing in Kairos Power to develop small modular reactors. The company plans to bring its first reactor online in eastern Tennessee by 2030, to provide up to 500 megawatts of new carbon-free power for US grids by 2035.
OpenAI, while not directly investing in nuclear power, is indirectly involved through its CEO, Sam Altman. Altman holds a 6% stake in nuclear startup Oklo, which focuses on small modular reactors and plans to sell power through long-term contracts. Oklo has received authorization from the Department of Energy for site investigations at Idaho National Laboratory.
As these tech giants forge ahead with their nuclear power initiatives, it’s clear that the landscape of energy consumption in the tech industry is undergoing a significant transformation. The move towards nuclear power not only addresses the increasing energy demands of AI data centers but also demonstrates a commitment to sustainable and clean energy solutions.
Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI did not provide comments on their nuclear investments when approached for this article.