The United States is restarting three decommissioned nuclear reactors to meet the rising energy needs of AI data centers. The Palisades plant in Michigan, operated by Holtec Palisades, is expected to generate 800 MW by March 2027. The project received a loan from the U.S. Department of Energy under a 2024 investment program.
Constellation Energy is refurbishing Unit 1 at the Crane Clean Energy Center in Pennsylvania, aiming for 835 MW of capacity by 2027. The company secured a $1 billion loan from the Department of Energy in 2025, with a total project cost of $1.6 billion. Microsoft has signed a 20-year contract to be the primary customer for this facility.
In Iowa, NextEra Energy and Google are collaborating to bring the Duane Arnold Energy Center back to the grid. The facility is projected to provide 615 MW of power by 2029. According to NextEra Energy, the costs of this project will not be passed on to residential customers in the state.
These facilities were previously closed due to high maintenance and labor costs. However, current demand for data center power has changed the financial viability of these reactors. Forecasts for 2030 suggest significant energy requirements for data centers in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Iowa, ranging from hundreds of megawatts to several gigawatts.
