Big Tech Bets on Nuclear Energy for AI Growth

In a significant shift towards sustainable energy, major tech companies are making substantial investments in nuclear energy to meet the growing power demands of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. The past year has seen a substantial change in how energy is provided, with a notable increase in urgency for new energy capacity. Recently, Amazon announced plans to invest hundreds of millions into nuclear power plants, while the U.S. government is also stepping in with up to $900 million in grants to support this development. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm highlighted that the construction of small modular reactors (SMRs) presents a solution for supplying clean, baseload power to data centers, essential for the operation of AI applications. While the process of bringing these advanced reactors online may take time, the collaboration among tech giants to standardize reactor designs could expedite their deployment. This move is reinforced by the adoption of complementary clean energy sources, such as solar and geothermal. Although skepticism exists regarding the cost and safety of SMRs, government initiatives aim to encourage investment and enhance public confidence in nuclear technology. As the U.S. pushes to meet soaring energy demands, these developments could reshape the future of power generation.