Westinghouse’s CEO revealed talks with U.S. officials this week to deploy 10 large nuclear reactors as part of a broader push to back nuclear energy as data centers drive energy demand skyward. Soon after, AMZN unveiled a $20 billion plan to build data centers in Pennsylvania, including one adjacent to the Susquehanna nuclear plant with which it recently partnered. Paired with the MSFT-CEG deal, the moves underscore Big Tech’s accelerating shift toward nuclear to secure reliable, low-carbon power for the AI era.
Our analysis indicates that a new AP1000 reactor with a capacity of 1.1 GW would cost around $8.6 billion, based on data from the EIA. This would bring Westinghouse’s deployment of 10 reactors to a cost of $86 billion, exceeding the DOE’s estimate of $75 billion and marking one of the largest private pushes for nuclear energy in recent memory.
This market shift is further reinforced by recent U.S. executive orders aimed at accelerating the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies. The directives streamline approvals, encourage private investment and prioritize nuclear power for AI infrastructure and national security facilities. Together, these policy changes and the surge in long-term power purchase agreements signal that nuclear is moving from the margins to a practical, scalable solution to meet AI’s energy demands sustainably.
Highlights:
- Storage in Question – Aquifer Ban Threatens Key CCUS Projects – This report examines the ripple effects of Illinois’ ban on carbon storage beneath the Mahomet Aquifer, raising urgent questions about the future of CCUS in regions with EPA-designated sole source aquifers.
- Stranded Sparks – Texas Energy Fund Gas Project Withdrawals – This report analyzes how rising capital costs and supply chain delays have impacted projects in the Texas Energy Fund and assesses the economics of these plants, including the power price levels needed to improve project feasibility.
- EVOLVE 2025 – Carbon Capture Strategies: The Race for Commercialization – This report, presented at Enverus EVOLVE 2025, offers an in-depth exploration of the current state of CCUS, highlighting projects that have successfully navigated economic and operational challenges to move into implementation. We examine the strategies propelling commercialization efforts, including the critical role of carbon credits, innovative approaches to credit stacking and project economics that balance environmental goals with financial viability.
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