Google and American electrical utility giant NextEra Energy announced a partnership Monday to revive Iowa's only nuclear power plant to meet growing low-carbon energy demand from artificial intelligence
The Duane Arnold Energy Center, which closed in 2020, could begin operating in early 2029, pending regulatory approval.
"Once operational, Google will purchase power from the 615-MW plant as a 24/7 carbon-free energy source to help power Google's growing cloud and AI infrastructure in Iowa, while also strengthening local grid reliability," the companies said in a press release.
The Central Iowa Power Cooperative, the state's largest energy provider, has agreed to buy surplus electricity leftover by Google.
The Duane Arnold Energy Center's prior shutdown had come at a time when the nuclear sector was struggling to compete with natural gas and other renewable energy sources due to high operating costs and public perception challenges around safety.
However, the nuclear site's revival marks a trend, as energy demand in the U.S. has been surging, with tech companies like Google investing billions in developing power-hungry AI data centers.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, total annual electricity consumption stateside hit a record high in 2024 — a ceiling that could continue to rise if data centers continue to expand at their current pace.