Nuclear energy’s growing role in data center sustainability

Nuclear power is emerging as a critical energy solution for data centers as AI and cloud computing demands skyrocket. Goldman Sachs Research projects data center power demand will rise over 160 percent by 2030, pushing the industry beyond renewable energy’s intermittent capabilities toward reliable, carbon-free nuclear options.

Major tech companies are leading the charge with significant nuclear investments. Amazon Web Services secured 960 megawatts from a Pennsylvania nuclear plant, Microsoft partnered with Three Mile Island, and Google announced plans to deploy small nuclear reactors for AI data centers by 2030.

“Nuclear power produces zero carbon emissions during operation, making it a viable option for any data center looking to reduce its reliance on fossil fuel-based energy and meet similar net-zero goals.”
— Jenny Gerson, Head of Sustainability at DataBank

Small modular reactors offer particular promise for data centers due to their lower costs, faster development timelines, and ability to locate near facilities to reduce transmission losses. While nuclear energy provides 24/7 reliability that solar and wind cannot match, challenges remain including high upfront costs, regulatory hurdles, and public skepticism.

The nuclear shift represents a fundamental change in how data centers approach long-term energy strategy, balancing sustainability commitments with the industry’s massive power requirements.