Google secures 3,590 megawatts in 20-year deal with Constellation
Google has struck a 20-year power purchase agreement with Constellation Energy for 3,590 megawatts of energy supply, with nearly 890 megawatts coming from new nuclear capacity. The deal reflects Google's urgent need to secure sufficient power for its expanding datacentre infrastructure, which is essential to support the company's AI ambitions and vast computational requirements.
Constellation will increase nuclear output through uprating, which involves modernising turbines, steam generators, and digital control systems at 11 existing plants across Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The company plans to spend $4.3 billion on these upgrades, with the first uprated reactor operational by 2028; the remaining 2,700 megawatts in Google's deal will come from other sources. Other major technology firms including Microsoft and Meta are also racing to secure nuclear power supplies for their AI and datacentre operations.
- Google secures 890 MW new nuclear power through Constellation Energy deal
- Upgrades to 11 existing reactors will deliver additional capacity by 2028
- Tech firms increasingly turn to nuclear to fuel AI and datacentre growth
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Google operates enormous data centres filled with computer servers that process information for its online services and artificial intelligence systems. The company's expansion into artificial intelligence has created urgent electricity demands, requiring it to secure long-term power supply agreements.
Under this agreement, Constellation Energy will supply Google with 3,590 megawatts of power over 20 years, with roughly a quarter coming from nuclear facilities. Rather than building new reactors, Constellation will upgrade its existing nuclear plants—a process called uprating—by modernising turbines, control systems and other components across 11 locations.
Google is one of several major technology companies seeking to secure nuclear power supplies for expanding operations. Microsoft, Meta and other firms are pursuing similar strategies as artificial intelligence and data centre demands grow worldwide.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Proponents argue that nuclear power is essential for meeting the massive energy demands of AI and datacentres whilst maintaining low-carbon electricity generation. Nuclear provides reliable baseload power that renewables alone cannot yet supply at the required scale, and upgrading existing plants leverages proven technology whilst avoiding the lengthy construction timelines of new facilities. Supporters emphasise that societies must decarbonise urgently, and nuclear is one of the few proven technologies capable of delivering the gigawatt-scale capacity these operations legitimately require.
The case against
Critics contend that this deal represents a costly commitment to ageing technology when renewables have become far cheaper and faster to deploy. The $4.3 billion investment locks in decades of expense and waste-management liability, whilst solar and wind capacity could be built substantially quicker to meet genuine infrastructure needs. Opponents argue the real solution is demanding tech companies improve efficiency and reduce computational demands, rather than accommodating unlimited energy consumption; they worry rapid nuclear expansion driven by AI urgency prioritises corporate convenience over genuine sustainability and public safety.
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Originally published by The Register as “Google teams with nuclear power giant to give reactors a tune-up”.