Google and NextEra Energy are teaming up to revive Iowa’s Duane Arnold Energy Center, the state’s sole nuclear power plant, as demand for low-carbon electricity intensifies in the age of artificial intelligence.
The plant, which was decommissioned in 2020 amid economic and public perception challenges facing the nuclear sector, could resume operations by early 2029, pending regulatory approval. This move marks a significant reversal at a time when U.S. power consumption is hitting new records, fueled in part by the rapid expansion of AI-powered data centers.
Under the agreement, Google will purchase electricity from the 615-megawatt plant on a 24/7 basis as part of its strategy to source carbon-free power for its cloud and AI infrastructure in Iowa and to boost local grid reliability, the companies said Monday. Central Iowa Power Cooperative, the state’s largest utility, will acquire any surplus energy not used by Google.
The plant’s reopening highlights a broader industry trend: as American tech giants pour billions into data center expansion, many see nuclear energy as essential for satisfying soaring power requirements while reducing carbon emissions. Google’s initiative follows similar moves by Constellation Energy and Microsoft, while Oracle recently disclosed plans for a data center fueled by small modular nuclear reactors.
Nuclear revival is gaining traction as U.S. electricity consumption reached an all-time high in 2024, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Experts anticipate this record could be surpassed if the surge in high-power data facilities continues.
Both the government and the technology industry are turning increasingly to nuclear energy as a dependable, carbon-free solution to shore up energy grids facing mounting pressure from the rapid growth of AI.
Ruth Porat, president and chief investment officer of Alphabet and Google, commented that this partnership exemplifies the scale of investment required nationwide to expand energy capacity, ensure reliable and affordable clean power, and support job creation central to the AI-driven economy.
The announcement also underscores Google’s deepening involvement in Iowa, where it has already invested over $6.8 billion in data centers. Lawmakers have welcomed the project, with State Senator Charlie McClintock describing Duane Arnold’s return as a “big win,” and underscoring its role in ensuring stable electricity supply for both residents and businesses.
However, the renewed embrace of data centers has not been without controversy. In June, media outlets reported that Google had quietly removed its public pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 from the sustainability section of its website, coinciding with an acceleration of its AI ambitions.
In some regions, new data center plans have faced pushback from local communities concerned with resource consumption and environmental impact—prompting Google to withdraw a planned Indiana facility in September. So far, Iowa has proven more receptive to these developments.
