Google, Amazon, and Microsoft Explore Nuclear Energy for AI Data Center Power

Google is currently investigating the potential of utilizing nuclear energy to power its data centers, a move prompted by the rising energy needs associated with artificial intelligence advancements. In a recent conversation with Nikkei Asia, CEO Sundar Pichai shared that the tech giant is assessing diverse energy solutions, including small modular reactors (SMRs), as part of its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.

Pichai highlighted a significant increase in Google’s greenhouse gas emissions, which surged approximately 48% in 2023 relative to 2019, largely due to AI-driven demand. For technology firms like Google, nuclear power presents an appealing option as it offers a consistent, low-carbon energy source. In contrast to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind—which can fluctuate based on weather—nuclear facilities can provide uninterrupted service, ensuring stable energy supply for data centers.

Amanda Peterson Corio, the global head of data center energy at Google, made a statement to Bloomberg, noting:

In the United States, within tightly regulated markets where we lack direct power purchasing options, we are collaborating with utility companies and generators to explore incorporating innovative technologies—including nuclear energy—into the electrical grid.

Google is not alone in its interest in nuclear energy; Amazon has also secured a $650 million agreement with the Susquehanna nuclear site, while Microsoft has plans to revive the Three Mile Island plant by 2028. Even Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang has acknowledged that nuclear energy could serve as a viable power source for the company’s extensive data center energy requirements.

Furthermore, Pichai mentioned that Google is on the lookout for reliable and sustainable energy options, which will involve investments in nuclear power as well as conventional renewable sources like solar and geothermal energy. This strategy is essential, considering that electricity usage in data centers is projected to nearly double by 2026, potentially reaching between 650TWh and 1,050TWh, up from 460TWh in 2022.

While Google has yet to disclose specific timelines or locations for sourcing nuclear energy, it is likely to focus efforts within the United States initially, where it is already in discussions with governmental bodies and utility providers. Corio did not dismiss the idea of exploring nuclear energy options in other nations, including Japan.

Via Bloomberg and Nikkei Asia | Image source: DepositPhotos.com

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