Major technology corporations are increasingly turning to nuclear energy to sustain the massive power requirements of artificial intelligence and cloud computing infrastructure. Following Microsoft’s recent agreement to help restart a reactor at Three Mile Island, Google and Amazon have announced significant investments in small modular reactors (SMRs). Industry proponents argue that nuclear power provides a reliable, carbon-free energy source capable of operating 24/7, which is essential for the continuous operation of data centers. However, environmental advocates and some energy analysts raise concerns regarding the high costs of SMR development, the long-term management of radioactive waste, and the lengthy timeline for deployment. While these partnerships signal a significant shift in corporate energy strategy, observers note that regulatory hurdles and infrastructure challenges remain major factors in determining how quickly these nuclear projects will impact the global energy grid.
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