Three U.S. nuclear plant restarts are being prepared to support data-center power demand
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Three previously closed U.S. nuclear facilities—Palisades in Michigan, Crane Clean Energy Center Unit 1 in Pennsylvania, and Duane Arnold in Iowa—are being prepared for restart, with planned operations spanning 2027 to 2029. The projects are expected to provide a combined 2.25 GW of baseload generation, subject to regulatory, technical and execution conditions.
- The three planned restarts are expected to provide 2.25 GW of combined baseload generation.
- Palisades is targeting a March 2027 restart at approximately 800 MW after beginning fuel loading in August 2026.
- Crane Unit 1 is planned for 2027 at 835 MW, but requires final NRC approval.
- Microsoft has a 20-year PPA with Constellation for Crane; Duane Arnold is being advanced by NextEra Energy and Google.
- The projects could expand options for firm, low-carbon power procurement where grid capacity and interconnection timelines constrain data-center development.
Three closed U.S. nuclear facilities are being positioned for return to service as technology companies and power providers seek firm, low-carbon supply for growing AI data-center loads.
The projects—Palisades Nuclear Plant in Michigan, Crane Clean Energy Center Unit 1 in Pennsylvania, and Duane Arnold Energy Center in Iowa—are expected to add 2.25 GW of baseload generation in aggregate. The capacity remains planned rather than operational.
Holtec Palisades began fuel loading at Palisades in August 2026 and is targeting a March 2027 restart. The plant is expected to provide approximately 800 MW of generation capacity.
Constellation Energy plans to return Crane Clean Energy Center Unit 1 to service in 2027 at 835 MW, although the project still requires final approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Constellation plans to invest $1.6 billion in Crane and has received a $1 billion Department of Energy loan, although the available material does not specify the loan's technical status, terms or timing. Microsoft has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Constellation for the facility.
NextEra Energy and Google are advancing the restart of Duane Arnold, which is expected to begin supplying power in 2029 at 615 MW.
For the data-center sector, the projects point to a potential role for long-term corporate PPAs, public credit support and direct hyperscaler participation in securing generation capacity. With grid interconnection constraints limiting new campus development in some markets, restarted generation assets could provide an alternative route to large-scale power supply. That outcome remains dependent on regulatory approvals, technical readiness and the economics of each restart.
The planned restarts illustrate how constrained grid capacity and lengthy interconnection processes are shaping power procurement for AI data-center growth. If completed as planned, the facilities could return substantial volumes of firm, low-carbon generation without waiting for new generating assets to be built; however, delivery remains contingent on approvals, plant readiness and restart economics.
- TechNews 科技新報 / КитайскийПервоисточник →
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