Google to Revive Shut Down Nuclear Plant for AI Data Center Power, Marking Push for Restarting Mothballed Reactors in U.S.

Google has announced plans to breathe new life into a shuttered nuclear power plant, as part of its strategy to secure reliable, carbon-free electricity for its expanding AI data centers. The company has entered a 25-year agreement with NextEra Energy to purchase power from the Duane Arnold Energy Center in Iowa, a 615-megawatt nuclear facility that ceased operations in 2020. Google will cover the costs of restarting the plant and enable the investment needed to bring it back online, according to a blog post from the company. When operational, expected around 2029, the plant will generate electricity that Google will use to power its data centers. Any surplus power not used by Google will be purchased by the Central Iowa Power Cooperative, ensuring broader regional benefits. This move marks the latest effort by Big Tech to revive nuclear energy in the United States, where the industry has faced challenges due to competition from cheaper natural gas, solar, and wind power. However, with AI-driven data centers consuming vast amounts of electricity and requiring consistent, round-the-clock power, nuclear energy is gaining renewed interest as a stable, low-carbon solution. The Duane Arnold plant, which first began operations in 1975, has never been restarted after being decommissioned. According to Reuters, the U.S. has no precedent for bringing a mothballed nuclear plant back online, making this a complex and ambitious undertaking. Google is not alone in this effort. Microsoft previously announced plans to help revive the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor in Pennsylvania, which is scheduled to resume operations in 2028. Both companies see restarting existing nuclear facilities as the fastest way to scale up clean energy capacity in response to the rapid growth of AI. In addition to supporting legacy plants, Google is collaborating with NextEra Energy and Kairos Power on next-generation nuclear reactor designs. However, these advanced technologies still face lengthy regulatory approval and permitting timelines, making the restart of existing facilities a more immediate solution. Google emphasizes that revitalizing old nuclear plants offers the quickest path to unlocking large-scale, reliable, carbon-free energy to support the rising demands of AI infrastructure.