On December 1, 2024, significant developments in the nuclear energy sector were reported as major American tech companies announced substantial investments aimed at generating low-carbon electricity for their artificial intelligence data centers. Microsoft committed to purchasing electricity for 20 years from the Three Mile Island facility in Pennsylvania, which was the site of a nuclear disaster in 1979. This agreement marks a notable shift towards nuclear energy after decades of hesitance.
Google has entered into a partnership with Kairos Power in California to develop advanced small modular reactors, while Amazon is funding Xcel Energy to develop and license similar reactor technologies. This surge in activity follows the recent operational commencement of the Vogtle Unit 4, which began supplying electricity to Georgia in April 2024.
The renewed interest in nuclear energy is seen as a critical factor in addressing climate change, with experts indicating that achieving net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century will require adding 200 gigawatts of nuclear power, tripling current capacities. Nuclear energy's capability to generate continuous power, unlike solar and wind, which depend on weather conditions, positions it as a viable solution for sustainable energy.
Moreover, the analysis from the U.S. Department of Energy suggests that integrating nuclear power with other renewable sources can significantly lower the overall costs of decarbonizing the energy grid. Compared to relying solely on renewable sources and energy storage, this integrated approach could reduce costs by 37%.