Google Locks Down 3,590 Megawatts in Largest Nuclear Power Deal to Feed AI Data Centers

Tech Giant Secures Unprecedented Energy Supply Across America’s Largest Power Grid

Google has contracted for 3,590 megawatts of power from Constellation Energy in the United States’ largest power grid, marking the most ambitious power purchase agreement yet between a technology company and a nuclear energy provider. The deal positions new nuclear energy to account for approximately a quarter of that total supply, as both companies announced on Tuesday. Major tech companies are racing to secure massive amounts of electricity supplies to power data centers across the US by striking unprecedented deals with the country’s power companies.

The arrangement will enable more than $4.3 billion of new investment by Constellation and involves adding capacity at several of the power company’s nuclear reactors in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Google’s global head of energy and power, Amanda Peterson Corio, emphasized the company’s commitment to responsible growth in a statement, saying “We’re committed to meeting our growth responsibly by actively investing in clean, reliable power that brings new capacity to our nation’s grids.”

The strategic partnership arrives as regional grid operators face increasing strain and pressure over data center power consumption, highlighting how major technology companies are locking down dedicated zero-carbon energy sources to meet surging computational demands. Over the last two years, Constellation unveiled an agreement to restart its Three Mile Island reactor in Pennsylvania to serve Microsoft data centers, while Google contracted to restart NextEra Energy’s nuclear power plant in Iowa.

Two-Part Agreement Combines Nuclear Upgrades with Long-Term Supply

In the latest arrangement, Google entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement for 890 megawatts of electricity from multiple Constellation-owned nuclear power plants, which would be upgraded to produce more electricity from existing reactors. Electricity from the first of the upgraded plants is expected to be delivered in 2028, the companies said. This nuclear capacity expansion represents the new generation component of the comprehensive energy deal.

Google also entered into a long-term supply agreement for an additional 2,700 megawatts of power from Constellation in PJM. That power is not tied to a specific generation source and serves as long-term revenue certainty for Constellation’s operating plants, Google said. Maryland-based Constellation is the largest US nuclear power plant operator and owns a major fleet of natural-gas-fired power plants.

Eleven Nuclear Units Targeted for Capacity Upgrades

The 11 nuclear units expected to be upgraded as part of the arrangement with Google are located in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, within the footprint of the largest US electric grid-PJM Interconnection. These strategic locations position the upgraded facilities to directly support Google’s expanding artificial intelligence infrastructure requirements across multiple states. The electricity deliveries from the upgraded generation units are scheduled to begin coming online around 2028.

The phased approach allows Constellation to methodically enhance capacity at existing facilities rather than constructing entirely new plants, which typically require decades of planning and regulatory approval. This upgrade strategy accelerates the timeline for bringing additional clean energy capacity online to meet the immediate and growing demands of energy-intensive artificial intelligence infrastructure. The nuclear units will deliver power specifically to support Google’s computational operations while simultaneously strengthening overall grid reliability.

Deal Responds to Grid Operator’s “Bring Your Own Power” Proposal

PJM management has proposed requiring data center customers connected to the 13-state grid to either bring their own power or face being shut off from grid power remotely in times of peak demand. The deal between Google and Constellation is in response to PJM’s “bring your own power” proposal, the companies said. This unprecedented requirement reflects growing concerns among grid operators about the strain that massive data centers place on existing electrical infrastructure.

“We’re committed to meeting our growth responsibly by actively investing in clean, reliable power that brings new capacity to our nation’s grids,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s global head of energy and power, in a statement.

The massive multi-year deal includes both new nuclear capacity upgrades and long-term supply contracts to reliably power energy-intensive artificial intelligence infrastructure, positioning Google ahead of potential grid access restrictions. By securing dedicated power sources rather than competing for available grid capacity, Google insulates its operations from potential remote shutoffs during peak demand periods. The strategic partnership demonstrates how forward-thinking technology companies are proactively addressing energy security concerns.

Nuclear Power Emerges as Preferred Solution for AI Energy Demands

The strategic partnership highlights how major technology companies are locking down dedicated zero-carbon energy sources to meet surging computational demands driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning applications. Nuclear power offers several advantages for data center operators, including consistent baseload generation, minimal carbon emissions, and the ability to operate continuously regardless of weather conditions. These characteristics make nuclear facilities particularly attractive compared to intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar power.

Furthermore, the agreement arrives as regional grid operators face increasing strain and pressure over data center power consumption, forcing technology companies to pursue creative solutions for securing reliable electricity supplies. The $4.3 billion investment commitment from Constellation represents one of the largest capital deployments for nuclear capacity expansion in recent US history. This substantial financial commitment underscores the scale of energy requirements anticipated for next-generation artificial intelligence systems.

Industry-Wide Race to Secure Dedicated Power Sources Accelerates

Major tech companies are racing to secure massive amounts of electricity supplies to power data centers across the US by striking unprecedented deals with the country’s power companies. The competition for reliable, clean energy has intensified dramatically as artificial intelligence applications consume exponentially more electricity than traditional computing workloads. Microsoft, Amazon, and other technology leaders have similarly pursued direct power purchase agreements to ensure adequate energy supply for their expanding infrastructure.

Over the last two years, Constellation unveiled an agreement to restart its Three Mile Island reactor in Pennsylvania to serve Microsoft data centers, while Google contracted to restart NextEra Energy’s nuclear power plant in Iowa. These agreements represent a broader industry trend toward reviving dormant nuclear facilities and upgrading existing plants to meet technology sector energy demands. The latest Google-Constellation agreement significantly expands this approach by incorporating multiple reactor upgrades across several states within a single comprehensive deal.