Google to bring shuttered nuclear power plant back from the dead

Google is partnering with NextEra Energy to reopen the Duane Arnold Energy Center, a nuclear power plant in Iowa that was shut down after storm damage compromised its containment system. Originally designed to generate 601 megawatts, the refurbished reactor is expected to produce an additional 14 megawatts once restarted, with plans to be operational by 2029. Google will purchase the majority of the plant’s power for 25 years, while the remainder will be sold to the Central Iowa Power Cooperative, which currently holds a 20% stake but is expected to be bought out by NextEra. This initiative reflects a broader trend of tech companies investing in nuclear energy to meet growing electricity demands for data centers while reducing carbon emissions. Similar efforts include Microsoft’s collaboration to restart the Three Mile Island reactor, aiming for a 2028 restart at an estimated cost of $1.6 billion. Restarting existing reactors is seen as a faster alternative to building new plants, though these projects still face multi-year timelines and