Nuclear tech races to meet data center power needs

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President Trump's orders to quadruple US nuclear capacity by 2050 come as power demand from data centers is surging. 

With hyperscalers racing to build AI infrastructure, small modular reactors could be a game-changer.

S&P Global Energy data shows more than 100 advanced reactor designs competing for commercialization, with 22 gigawatts in the global SMR pipeline.

Tech giants are investing heavily, but costs remain steep. One 300-megawatt project could run $4 billion – the same amount raised by a dozen developers combined.

Another issue is timing. Data centers need power now, but most SMRs won't be ready until the 2030s. And unless the nuclear sector can overcome its track record of budget and schedule overruns, investor interest could fade.

Still, SMRs’ factory-built, modular design offers the promise of faster, cheaper construction than traditional nuclear plants — keeping hopes alive for a nuclear renaissance.