Google and Constellation to Boost Nuclear Energy Capacity in Illinois

Google and Constellation Energy have teamed up to boost nuclear energy capacity in Illinois and beyond. The new deal will add 890 megawatts of nuclear power to the PJM Interconnection grid, spanning six nuclear sites across Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Constellation operates seven Illinois plants, including facilities in Braceville, Braidwood, Byron, Clinton, Marseille, Morris, and the Quad Cities.

The agreement is expected to preserve around 4,400 existing jobs and create an estimated 7,200 new construction jobs. Constellation will invest over $4.3 billion in this expansion, enhancing both employment and energy infrastructure.

In addition to expanding nuclear generation, the two companies have signed a 15-year energy supply agreement for an extra 2,700 MWs in PJM’s fleet. This deal ensures that Constellation’s existing assets continue to provide energy and capacity to the market.

Constellation has also selected Google Cloud and Gemini Enterprise under a five-year technology alliance. This partnership aims to create an “AI for energy” blueprint to accelerate capacity delivery, optimize asset dispatch, and protect critical infrastructure. The goal is to use AI to reduce costs, improve performance, and meet rising energy demands while safeguarding the energy grid.