Three dormant US nuclear reactors to restart for AI data centers

The US is restarting three previously closed nuclear plants with a combined capacity of about 2.25GW to power AI data centers. The Department of Energy will provide up to $4.4 billion in federal loans, and Microsoft and Google have already signed power purchase agreements. The Palisades, Crane and Duane Arnold plants are slated to come online between 2027 and 2029.

• Three reactors will add about 2.25GW, enough for 2 million homes
• The DOE will back the projects with up to $4.4 billion in loans
• Palisades in Michigan must return to service by March 2027
• Microsoft and Google have signed agreements to buy the power