Google secures 890MW nuclear boost in long-term energy deal
Google has signed a long-term agreement with Constellation Energy to secure a massive boost in nuclear power capacity. The 20-year deal covers 3,590 megawatts of energy, including 890 megawatts from upgraded nuclear plants. Constellation plans to modernize turbines, steam generators, and digital control systems at 11 existing nuclear plants across Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. These upgrades, known as uprates, can significantly increase capacity without the lengthy construction timelines associated with new plants.
The remaining 2,700 megawatts in the deal will come from unspecified sources. Constellation estimates it will spend $4.3 billion to fulfill its commitments, with the first uprated reactor expected to be operational by 2028. Google's deal underscores the tech giant's growing appetite for reliable power to support its data center expansion, with projected investments of up to $205 billion in datacenters and compute this year.
Other tech companies are also turning to nuclear power. Microsoft is working with Constellation to restart the Three Mile Island Unit 1 reactor, while Meta is collaborating to save an Illinois nuclear plant. Meta's clean energy commitments now total 6.6 gigawatts, though this figure depends on the successful deployment of small modular reactors, a technology still in development.