AI's skyrocketing energy consumption is driving investment in nuclear power plants, with utilities like Constellation Energy and Vistra reactivating dormant plants to meet demand.
Jeff Sommer reports for The New York Times.
In short:
- Utilities with nuclear plants are experiencing stock surges due to contracts with AI companies like Microsoft and Amazon.
- The reopening of nuclear facilities like Three Mile Island and potential reactivation of other plants reflect AI's insatiable energy needs.
- Older power plants, including coal-fired ones, are being considered anew as AI-driven energy demand outpaces renewable energy development.
Key quote:
“This is a problem that is getting bigger and bigger.”
— Jesse Dodge, senior researcher at the nonprofit Allen Institute for A.I.
Why this matters:
As AI expands, its energy demands may push utilities to prolong the use of nuclear and fossil fuel plants, raising environmental concerns. Finding sustainable, safe energy sources to power AI’s growth is critical to limiting its ecological impact.
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