The AI Power Surge: Why Nuclear Energy is Suddenly Back in the Spotlight
The world’s appetite for electricity is exploding. Forecasts predict a staggering increase of over 10,000 terawatt-hours by 2035 – that’s equivalent to the current total consumption of all developed economies combined. While renewable energy sources are crucial, a surprising contender is emerging as a key player in meeting this demand: nuclear power. The driving force? Artificial intelligence.
AI’s Hidden Energy Footprint
Artificial intelligence isn’t just about clever algorithms; it’s about immense computational power. AI relies on sprawling data centers, and a single medium-sized facility can consume as much electricity as 100,000 homes. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that data center electricity demand jumped by over 75% between 2023 and 2024, and is projected to account for over 20% of electricity demand growth in advanced economies by 2030.
In the United States, the epicenter of many AI innovations, AI-driven data processing is predicted to surpass the combined electricity usage of the aluminum, steel, cement, and chemical industries by the end of the decade. This isn’t a future problem; it’s happening now.
A New Alliance: Tech, Policy, and Nuclear Innovation
Recognizing this challenge, a pivotal meeting took place at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters in Vienna last year. Policymakers, tech leaders, and nuclear industry experts convened to explore how nuclear power can fuel the AI revolution – and how AI can, in turn, accelerate innovation within the nuclear sector.
Training sophisticated AI models demands tens of thousands of CPUs running continuously for weeks or months. Beyond training, the everyday application of AI is rapidly expanding across sectors like healthcare, transportation, agriculture, and education. Every search query, simulation, and recommendation consumes energy. As Manuel Greisinger, a senior manager at Google AI, succinctly puts it: “We need clean, stable, zero-carbon electricity that is available around the clock. This is undoubtedly an extremely high threshold, and it is not achievable with wind and solar power alone.”
© Unsplash/Geoffrey Moffett
A data centre in Ireland.
The Nuclear Industry’s Bullish Outlook
The IAEA Director General, Manuel Grossi, echoes this sentiment, stating that nuclear energy is uniquely positioned to be the energy partner of the AI revolution. He argues that only nuclear can deliver the necessary combination of low-carbon emissions, 24/7 reliability, high power density, grid stability, and scalability.
This optimism is reflected in construction activity. Currently, 71 new reactors are under development globally, adding to the existing 441 operational plants. The US, already home to 94 reactors, is planning to build ten more. Tech giants are actively supporting this expansion. Microsoft, for example, has secured a 20-year power purchase agreement to restart Unit One of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania.
NOAA/OAR/Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
The Enrico Fermi nuclear generating Station near Monroe, Michigan, US.
Global Investment and Emerging Leaders
The surge in AI-driven energy demand is prompting investment worldwide. Europe, with its dense network of digital hubs in cities like Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and London, is seeing renewed interest in nuclear power. France and the UK are doubling down on nuclear construction, while Poland is accelerating its involvement.
Russia remains a leading exporter of nuclear technology, leveraging its strong base in mathematics and computer science. China is also making significant strides in both AI and nuclear energy, demonstrating a parallel advancement in both fields. As Grossi notes, “AI technology and the construction of artificial intelligence data centres are advancing simultaneously, and the number of new nuclear reactors in the world also ranks first in the world during the same period.”
Japan is heavily investing in data center infrastructure, while the United Arab Emirates is establishing itself as a regional AI hub alongside its growing nuclear energy program.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): A Game Changer?
The urgency of the energy demand is also fueling the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Unlike traditional large-scale nuclear plants, SMRs offer a smaller footprint, enhanced safety features, and a significantly shorter construction timeline (around 10 years less).
These reactors can be deployed near industrial areas, including data center campuses, eliminating concerns about grid constraints and transmission losses. While still in the R&D phase, the IAEA is collaborating with regulators and industry to accelerate their viability. Google has already signed an agreement to purchase nuclear energy from multiple SMRs, potentially operational by 2030 – a global first.
IAEA/Dean Calma
The IAEA supports training to ensure the safety of nuclear power plants like this one in the Czech Republic.
Beyond Earth: Space-Based Solar Power
Google is even exploring innovative solutions beyond terrestrial energy sources. The company is investigating space-based solar networks to power large-scale machine learning in orbit, harnessing the uninterrupted energy of the sun. Prototype satellites are slated for launch in early 2027 to test radiation tolerance and data processing capabilities in space.
From restarting aging reactors to investing in SMRs and constructing large-scale plants, the global energy landscape is shifting decisively towards nuclear power to meet the demands of a future powered by artificial intelligence.
FAQ: Nuclear Power and AI
Q: Is nuclear power safe?
A: Modern nuclear reactors incorporate multiple layers of safety features and are subject to rigorous regulatory oversight. Continuous advancements in reactor design and safety protocols are being implemented.
Q: What about nuclear waste?
A: Nuclear waste management is a complex issue, but significant progress is being made in developing advanced recycling technologies and long-term storage solutions.
Q: How quickly can nuclear power capacity be increased?
A: Building large-scale nuclear plants takes time, but SMRs offer a faster deployment option. Restarting existing plants, like Three Mile Island, can also provide a relatively quick boost to capacity.
Q: Will nuclear power replace renewable energy?
A: No. Nuclear power is seen as a complementary energy source to renewables, providing the reliable baseload power needed to support a grid increasingly reliant on intermittent sources like wind and solar.
Did you know? The energy required to train a single large AI model can be equivalent to the lifetime carbon footprint of five cars.
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on developments in SMR technology. These reactors have the potential to revolutionize energy access and affordability.
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