Equinix announced a series of agreements with advanced nuclear and clean energy companies to secure reliable, sustainable power for its global data center portfolio. The strategy aims to address the increasing energy demands driven by AI workloads, cloud services, and electrification, while reducing reliance on strained utility grids.
The agreements include:
• A 500MW power purchase deal with Oklo for its next-generation fission Aurora powerhouses, fueled by nuclear waste.
• A preorder for 20 Radiant Kaleidos microreactors, capable of rapid deployment and on-site integration.
• A Letter of Intent with ULC-Energy for up to 250MWe from Rolls-Royce small modular reactors (SMRs) in the Netherlands.
• A 500MWe pre-order with Stellaria for molten salt Breed & Burn reactors, capable of recycling and burning nuclear waste fuel.
• Expanded deployment of Bloom Energy’s solid-oxide fuel cells to over 100MW across 19 U.S. data centers.
“Access to round-the-clock electricity is critical to support the infrastructure that powers everything from AI-driven drug discovery to cloud-based video streaming,” said Raouf Abdel, Executive Vice President of Global Operations at Equinix. “We believe we can support the energy needs of our customers and communities by helping to strengthen the grid and investing in new energy sources.”
Analysis
2025 has seen a surge in nuclear power initiatives targeting the data center sector, with hyperscalers, colocation providers, and industrial partners positioning nuclear as a long-term baseload solution for AI-scale workloads. Microsoft advanced its SMR exploration with Helion’s fusion program and signed feasibility studies with TerraPower for microreactors. Amazon Web Services initiated talks in Virginia for potential nuclear-supplied campuses, while Google announced research partnerships with X-energy and Copenhagen Atomics.
Equinix has emerged as one of the most aggressive adopters, building on its 2024 Oklo deal to add microreactors, SMRs, and advanced molten salt reactors to its future power mix. These technologies promise smaller footprints, faster deployment timelines, and integrated safety systems, making them attractive for urban or grid-constrained environments where AI infrastructure is expanding fastest.
The broader trend signals a shift from one-off pilot projects to multi-hundred-megawatt procurement agreements that could come online in the early 2030s, aligning with projected AI and cloud power surges. While regulatory, supply chain, and public acceptance challenges remain, the combined momentum from Equinix, hyperscalers, and nuclear innovators indicates that nuclear power is moving from concept to cornerstone in next-generation data center energy strategies.
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