Nuclear energy is emerging as a viable solution to meet the massive demands of AI and cloud computing. Due to this, leading tech firms like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are shifting focus to nuclear power.
Data centers supporting artificial intelligence and cloud computing are driving energy demand to unprecedented levels. The U.S. Department of Energy projects a potential 75% increase in global electricity consumption by 2050, largely fueled by the tech industry’s expanding AI initiatives. These facilities may soon require more electricity than entire cities.
Companies at the forefront of the AI race are accelerating innovation and deployment. However, they are increasingly facing the challenge of balancing soaring energy demands with their sustainability objectives.
“A new data center that needs the same amount of electricity as say, Chicago, cannot just build its way out of the problem unless they understand their power needs,” Mark Nelson, managing director of Radiant Energy Group, said, according to CNBC. “Those power needs. Steady, straight through, 100% power, 24 hours a day, 365,” he added.
Once sidelined due to widespread fears of meltdowns, safety risks, and misinformation that amplified those concerns, nuclear power is now experiencing a resurgence. Major tech companies, which have previously prioratized renewable energy, have signalled the start of an industrywide shift due to the energy demands of their data centers and AI models.
“What we’re seeing is nuclear power has a lot of benefits,” said Michael Terrell, senior director of energy and climate at Google. “It’s a carbon-free source of electricity. It’s a source of electricity that can be always on and run all the time. And it provides tremendous economic impact.”
