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The growing energy demand of data centers, driven by artificial intelligence and global digitalization, paves the way for innovative solutions like nuclear microreactors. Major tech companies such as Amazon and Google have already begun the journey toward cleaner, more stable, and autonomous energy infrastructure.
The digital revolution needs more energy
The explosive growth of data processing, fueled by the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud services, and the Internet of Things (IoT), is putting pressure on traditional electric grids. Each new generative AI application, every new server farm or streaming platform signifies a steadily increasing and constant demand for electricity. According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), data centers could consume up to 8% of global electricity by 2030 if no efficiency measures or new sustainable energy sources are adopted.
It is in this context that interest in nuclear energy is resurging, especially in its more compact and flexible variant: microreactors. These small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) could autonomously power critical facilities like data centers, without relying on the public electrical grid and with minimal environmental impact.
The nuclear vision of tech giants
Amazon and Google, two tech giants with an increasing energy footprint, have begun to position themselves in this new scenario. According to Associated Press, Amazon has signed strategic agreements to develop microreactors that could provide some of its data centers with emission-free nuclear energy in the medium term. Meanwhile, Google has acquired rights for reactors developed by Kairos Power, intending to generate up to 500 MW of nuclear electricity for its data centers in the U.S. before 2030.
This move is no coincidence. According to Deloitte, the use of nuclear energy in data centers presents a difficult-to-match combination: operational reliability, low carbon emissions, cost predictability, and continuous availability, even in environments where other renewable energies like solar or wind do not ensure stability.
Texas: the epicenter of the micro-nuclear revolution
Meanwhile, in Texas, the startup Last Energy has announced plans to build 30 nuclear microreactors near the city of Abilene. Each of these reactors would have a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW), enough to continuously power medium-sized data centers for years. What’s distinctive about these systems is their modular design, allowing them to be produced in series and deployed swiftly in strategic locations.
Unlike traditional large nuclear plants, which require decades and massive investments to become operational, microreactors can be installed in less than two years, occupy much less space, and do not need extensive logistical infrastructures. These features make them particularly attractive to tech companies seeking decentralized, scalable, and clean energy solutions.
What advantages do microreactors offer?
Small nuclear reactors are not simply a scaled-down version of a traditional plant. They offer qualitative advantages tailored to the digital age:
- Constant and predictable energy: Unlike renewable sources that depend on the sun or wind, microreactors generate electricity continuously, 24/7.
- Low emissions: During operation, they do not produce greenhouse gases, making them compatible with the sustainability commitments of major tech companies.
- Modular deployment: They can be manufactured in a factory, transported in parts, and quickly assembled on-site, facilitating their adoption in various geographies.
- Energy autonomy: They reduce dependence on the general electrical grid, which becomes increasingly valuable in contexts of energy instability or infrastructure saturation.
But it’s not all simple: the challenges ahead
Despite their potential, the implementation of nuclear microreactors faces significant obstacles. According to Reuters, one of the main challenges is the regulatory framework. Nuclear licensing processes are extensive, rigorous, and vary considerably among countries, which can slow their deployment.
Additionally, public perception remains a hurdle. The term “nuclear” still evokes reluctance and historical fears, despite advancements in safety and design. Changing this narrative will be key to their widespread acceptance.
Another critical point is cost. While microreactors promise to be more economical in the long run, the initial investment remains high, especially in pilot projects or early implementations.
A bet that does not go unnoticed
What is clear is that major tech companies are willing to take these risks. Behind the interest in microreactors lies not only an energy concern but also operational sovereignty, corporate reputation, and long-term strategy.
According to the Deloitte report, the use of nuclear energy in data centers could become a “structural pillar” of sustainable digital transformation. Governments, for their part, are beginning to align their policies to facilitate this type of infrastructure. In the U.S., the Biden administration has supported investment programs to revitalize the civil nuclear industry focusing on new technologies like SMRs. In Europe, countries such as France and the United Kingdom are also actively exploring these solutions.
Towards a more resilient data ecosystem
Global digitalization has created an invisible but critical infrastructure: data centers. Keeping them operational, secure, and sustainable is a priority for governments, companies, and citizens. In this effort, nuclear energy — and particularly microreactors — could offer a difficult-to-match combination: clean, constant, and high-density energy capable of fueling the technological revolution without jeopardizing the planet’s climatic future.
So far, technology is advancing, investments are multiplying, and the first real projects are already underway. If regulatory and social challenges are overcome, it is likely that within a decade, discussing nuclear microreactors as part of the supply for any large data center will be as common as talking about solar panels or liquid cooling systems today.
In summary
Nuclear microreactors are moving from being a futuristic promise to becoming a real piece of the digital energy ecosystem. In a world moving toward hyperconnectivity, where data has become an essential resource, finding new sources of clean, reliable, and adaptable energy is no longer an option: it is a necessity. And nuclear energy, in its miniaturized and modular form, may be on the brink of experiencing its second major renaissance.
Sources consulted:
[1] Reuters – Microreactor builders eye share of growing nuclear market
[2] Deloitte – Nuclear energy’s role in powering data centers
[3] AP News – Amazon and Google duel with nuclear
[4] Capacity Media – Google goes nuclear
[5] Houston Chronicle – Last Energy’s microreactor project in Texas
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