The IT Giants Are Choosing Nuclear Power — How to Communicate Its Benefits to the World

The shift towards nuclear by these tech leaders stems from a pressing need for reliable, around-the-clock power. Data centres, which provide crucial computing services for businesses of all sizes, require continuous energy to stay operational. Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have realized that renewable energy sources like wind and solar, though environmentally friendly, are not sufficient on their own. These sources are intermittent — dependent on weather conditions — and cannot provide 24/7 energy without expensive battery storage.

Recent deals illustrate how these tech giants are embracing nuclear energy. Google, for instance, has partnered with Kairos Power, a start-up developing small modular reactors (SMRs), with plans to purchase nuclear energy by 2030. Amazon has announced an investment in X-Energy, another SMR developer, and Microsoft struck a deal with Constellation Energy to revive the nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island. These agreements are part of a larger trend of IT companies moving away from recognising wind, solar and hydro as the only ESG-acceptable energy sources toward more reliable, long-term solutions like nuclear power.

What prompted this shift? Big technology companies have long invested in renewable energy, championing wind and solar as clean alternatives to fossil fuels. However, as these companies expanded their data centres and other energy-intensive operations, they began to confront the limitations of renewables. While wind and solar energy do not contribute to climate change, they are not available around the clock. Without adequate battery storage or other forms of energy storage, these sources leave gaps in the energy supply chain. Nuclear, on the other hand, operates continuously and produces zero greenhouse gas emissions, providing a stable and predictable energy solution that is critical to the tech industry.

For IT giants, the decision to choose nuclear over other energy sources is clear. But how do we communicate this to the broader public, who may still harbour outdated fears and misconceptions about nuclear power? The challenge is twofold: to educate people about the modern advances in nuclear technology and to frame nuclear as a clean, futuristic energy source rather than an outdated relic of the past.

The narrative around nuclear needs to shift toward highlighting its reliability and coolness factor. When Google, Amazon, and Microsoft — the very companies shaping the future — opt for nuclear, it speaks volumes. These companies, which previously leaned heavily into wind and solar, have now embraced nuclear because they recognise its unique ability to provide constant, uninterrupted energy without polluting the environment. Framing nuclear as a modern, progressive energy solution can help break down the stigma surrounding it.

Another crucial messaging point is nuclear’s unmatched reliability. Unlike solar and wind, which fluctuate depending on weather conditions, nuclear power plants run continuously, 24/7. This reliability makes nuclear an invaluable energy source, especially in an age when businesses rely more and more on data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. The ability to guarantee energy independence in a world increasingly shaped by uncertainty — whether from extreme weather events or geopolitical tensions — makes nuclear a highly appealing option.

Additionally, nuclear energy provides price stability. The cost of uranium, which fuels nuclear plants, is a small fraction of the overall cost of nuclear-generated electricity. This makes nuclear power a highly predictable energy source, allowing companies to forecast their energy costs decades into the future. In contrast, fossil fuel prices can fluctuate wildly due to market forces, while renewable energy often requires expensive storage solutions to fill in the gaps left by intermittent generation.

Public perception of “clean energy” often defaults to renewables like wind and solar, but nuclear is equally non-polluting while being more compact. A single nuclear plant occupies a fraction of the space needed for sprawling wind farms or solar arrays, and it does so without harming the surrounding environment. This efficiency of land use and minimal ecological disruption is a key advantage that communicators need to emphasise. Nuclear offers an environmentally friendly solution without the sprawling footprint of other green energy sources.

While IT giants can see the practical benefits of nuclear energy, the broader public must be brought along on this journey through thoughtful, strategic communication. This starts with confronting lingering fears about nuclear safety. Advances in nuclear technology, including the development of small modular reactors, have made nuclear energy safer than ever. By focusing on these advancements, communicators can help the public move beyond outdated concerns and appreciate the safety of modern nuclear power.

However, the conversation can’t stop at education. We need to engage people emotionally, too. Positioning nuclear energy as the key to powering the future is critical. By showing that nuclear is essential for driving forward innovation in technology and industry, communicators can align nuclear with society’s broader hopes and aspirations for a cleaner, more stable world. This is especially compelling when combined with the messaging around climate change. Nuclear energy plays a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions and can be a major part of global efforts to reach net-zero targets.

The world’s largest IT companies have recognised that nuclear power is not just another option — it’s the best option. Nuclear provides the reliability, predictability, and environmental benefits that these companies need to keep their data centres running smoothly while contributing to the fight against climate change. But the public needs to understand this as well. Through clear, engaging communication that highlights nuclear’s modernity, safety, and critical role in building a sustainable future, we can shift the conversation around nuclear power and bring more people on board with this transformative energy source.

As nuclear communicators, our goal is to connect the dots for the public. Nuclear isn’t just a legacy technology — it’s the power source that will drive the future of humanity, innovation, and sustainability. It’s time to embrace that future and communicate it with clarity and conviction.