New Delhi:Â Google has partnered with Elementl Power to support the development of three advanced nuclear energy sites, each expected to generate 600 megawatts of capacity. The move comes as rising electricity demands from artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure prompt tech firms to explore reliable, carbon-free energy sources.
The collaboration, announced on Wednesday, highlights a broader shift among major technology companies toward nuclear energy as part of their data center power strategies. While Google has not disclosed the financial details of the investment, it confirmed that it will provide capital for the development phase of these nuclear sites.
States Push for Nuclear Amid Regulatory Shifts
The partnership follows legislative momentum in the U.S. to accelerate nuclear energy deployment. In 2023, 25 states passed laws supporting advanced nuclear technologies. This year, more than 200 nuclear-related bills have been introduced, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute.
States are also exploring ways to streamline regulations and offer incentives to meet the surging power demands of AI operations and cloud infrastructure. As data center energy consumption rises sharply, policymakers are increasingly viewing nuclear energy as a dependable baseload option, particularly for industries requiring uninterrupted power supply.
Energy Race Among Tech Giants Intensifies
Google’s move follows similar investments by other major tech firms. In October, Amazon announced its plan to invest in small modular reactors, days after a similar announcement by Google. Microsoft is also pursuing nuclear power access. In a notable development, Constellation Energy said it would explore restarting the shuttered Three Mile Island reactor in Pennsylvania to meet Microsoft’s energy needs. That facility was the site of the U.S.’s most serious nuclear accident in 1979.
While tech companies continue investing in solar and wind energy, these sources often lack the consistency required for AI and cloud workloads. Nuclear energy, especially advanced reactor designs, is increasingly seen as a viable option to bridge the reliability gap.
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