Big Tech in the U.S. Embraces Nuclear Power [Energy-topia]

Large-scale Electricity Needed for AI Services
Nuclear Power Becomes an Inevitable Choice
Shift in Decarbonization Strategies

Recently, Meta Platforms, the American company operating Facebook, released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to conduct a bidding process for nuclear power plant operators capable of supplying electricity to the company. The document stated the need for nuclear power plants capable of reliably providing 1 to 4 GW of electricity in the United States starting in the early 2030s. Meta emphasized that "nuclear energy will play a crucial role in a cleaner, safer, and more diverse power grid transition."

Big tech companies in the U.S., such as Google, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft (MS), have long declared their participation in RE100. RE100 is a global private campaign aiming to use 100% renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, for all electricity needs by 2050. Progressive environmental groups have pressured the Korean government and companies to join RE100 as well. So far, 36 domestic companies have joined this campaign, accounting for about 8% of the total 447 companies worldwide.

However, the decarbonization strategies of U.S. big tech companies, which have emphasized renewable energy, are gradually shifting. They are showing an open attitude toward nuclear power as well. The background of this change is artificial intelligence (AI). To expand AI services, more data centers need to be built. Operating data centers requires a massive amount of electricity, which cannot be met by existing renewable energy alone. Naturally, nuclear power has emerged as an alternative. Considering the rapidly increasing electricity demand, they are in a situation where they cannot avoid considering nuclear power as a realistic option.

Before Meta, MS, Amazon, and Google had already acknowledged the necessity of nuclear power. In September, MS decided to restart a dormant nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania and purchase electricity from it for 20 years. In October, Amazon signed three investment agreements related to Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). They are funding the construction of SMRs by Energy Northwest, a public utility company in Washington State, investing in X-energy, a company developing advanced reactors for SMRs, and planning to build SMRs with Dominion Energy, a utility company in Virginia. Google also signed a contract to purchase SMR electricity from the U.S. startup Kairos Power. Google will receive 500 MW of power from 6 to 7 SMRs operated by Kairos Power.

Meta has now joined this movement. According to Meta’s RFP announcement, nuclear power is described as "clean energy," and the company emphasizes its continued commitment to sustainable management. This wording appears to be mindful of nuclear power opponents.

The United States is a country relatively rich in renewable energy such as solar power. Nevertheless, due to the rapid increase in the number of data centers and the surge in demand for carbon-free baseload power, nuclear power has become necessary. A global big tech official met on site said, "Realistically, we have no choice but to use nuclear power."

The renewed interest in nuclear power in the West is also influenced by concerns about China. China produces more than 90% of the polysilicon, the main raw material for solar panels. Thanks to inexpensive Chinese solar panels, solar power has rapidly expanded worldwide, but there are concerns about the supply chain. Excessive dependence on Chinese solar panels, like Russian natural gas, could threaten energy security at any time.

Korea is a representative country lacking renewable energy resources. Even places rich in renewable energy like the U.S. are reconsidering nuclear power. Rather than fostering excessive fear of nuclear power, it seems more desirable to consider how to use it safely.