This week, Google revealed it is collaborating with NextEra Energy to bring back into operation a nuclear facility in Iowa that had been shut down since 2020.
Over the past year, NextEra has been searching for a collaborator to restart the reactor, and has now teamed up with Google, which continues to expand its use of carbon-free energy to support its expanding network of data centers.
Details regarding the financial arrangements between the two companies have not been made public.
The Duane Arnold Energy Center was closed after a severe summer storm, known as a derecho, damaged part of the secondary containment system, which is essential for preventing radioactive gas leaks.
Originally, the plant was built to produce 601 megawatts of power. If the refurbishment proceeds as intended, the upgraded reactor will be able to deliver an extra 14 megawatts.
NextEra aims to have the plant operational again by 2029, with Google committing to purchase most of the electricity generated for the next 25 years. The remaining output will be sold to the Central Iowa Power Cooperative under similar conditions. This cooperative currently owns a 20% share in the Duane Arnold facility, but NextEra has stated it has deals in place to acquire the interests of both the co-op and the other minority stakeholder.
Interest in nuclear energy has surged as technology firms and data center operators seek alternative power sources to meet the rising demand for electricity after years of stagnation.
The Iowa facility is not the first reactor to be revived. Last year, Microsoft announced a partnership with Constellation Energy to restart a reactor at Three Mile Island, which ceased operations in 2019. Constellation estimates the project will require $1.6 billion, and if successful, the 835-megawatt reactor is expected to be operational by 2028.
Reactivating existing reactors is seen as a faster route to increasing nuclear capacity on the grid, potentially saving years compared to constructing new plants. However, these projects still require several years to complete, putting them in direct competition with new natural gas facilities, which also have lengthy development timelines.
Meanwhile, companies such as Google are also investing in solar energy and battery storage, which can be set up within months, significantly speeding up the process of powering new data centers.
