Nuclear power has always been a bit of a dark horse in the energy game. Far from the glitzy, high-tech cities where data centers usually set up shop, the Susquehanna nuclear plant in rural northeastern Pennsylvania was having a tough time finding suitors. Tethered to a power source that has long been a cause of public concern, this data center seemed destined to remain on the sidelines. However, all of this changed recently as the spotlight shifted towards nuclear power’s vital selling point – its negligible carbon emissions. Suddenly, the unassuming data center at Susquehanna became a hot property, attracting interest from big players in the industry.
For years, data center operators had given nuclear power the cold shoulder due to public opinion being fairly negative. However, as the climate crisis worsens, the narrative around nuclear power has started to shift. Wes Swenson, the CEO of Novva, a Utah-based data center operator, pointed out that nuclear power offers a unique advantage. He emphasized that the minimal carbon footprint of nuclear energy allows data center operators to claim environmental responsibility amidst their rapid expansion. Joe Dominguez, CEO of Constellation, the largest nuclear plant operator in the nation, even described nuclear energy as a “perfect marriage” for powering data centers.
The growing interest in nuclear power among data center operators is palpable. Companies like Vistra are already eyeing potential data center deals for their nuclear plants in Ohio and Texas. Even New Jersey’s nuclear units are being touted as a reliable and carbon-free power source for data centers by industry insiders like La Rossa. This enthusiasm for nuclear power is not exclusive to small players; tech giants like Microsoft have also jumped on the bandwagon. Microsoft recently struck a deal with Constellation to purchase nuclear power for its Virginia facility, particularly when renewables like wind and solar are unavailable.
Nuclear power plants offer a unique advantage over traditional sources of energy for data centers. Their ability to generate significantly more power per facility makes them an attractive option for data center operators facing escalating power demands. Nonetheless, concerns remain about the impact of data centers on consumers and grid reliability. Greg Poulos, an executive director of a PJM watchdog group, has flagged the potential risks associated with data centers shifting costs to consumers and the implications of nuclear data center deals on grid stability.
While not all data centers are rushing to embrace nuclear power, the trend is certainly gaining momentum. As the push for sustainability intensifies in the tech industry, nuclear power is emerging as a key player in the quest for carbon-neutral data centers. The once overlooked Susquehanna data center is now a prime example of how nuclear power is reshaping the energy landscape for data centers across the nation.