Google to restart Iowa nuclear plant to power AI and cloud operations

Google will source 24/7 carbon-free power from the 615-megawatt Iowa plant to fuel its data centers, strengthen clean energy goals, and supply surplus electricity to the state’s power grid

In a landmark clean energy initiative, Google and NextEra Energy have partnered to restart Iowa’s only nuclear power plant, the Duane Arnold Energy Center, to meet the surging electricity demand from artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure. The plant, which was shut down in 2020, is expected to begin operations in early 2029, pending regulatory approval.

Under the agreement, Google will purchase energy from the 615-megawatt facility as a 24/7 carbon-free power source for its expanding data centers in Iowa. The move is aimed at bolstering the company’s clean energy portfolio while enhancing local grid reliability. The Central Iowa Power Cooperative will buy any surplus power not used by Google, ensuring broader benefits for the state’s energy ecosystem.

The Duane Arnold facility’s closure had once symbolized the nuclear industry’s struggle against lower-cost natural gas and renewables. Its revival now reflects a shift in energy strategy as Big Tech companies drive unprecedented power consumption. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. electricity demand hit a record high in 2024 and continues to climb, largely due to AI-driven data center expansion.

Nuclear power fuels the AI economy

The Google–NextEra partnership aligns with a broader industry push to reintegrate nuclear energy as a sustainable and stable power source. Similar efforts include collaborations like Constellation Energy’s deal with Microsoft and Oracle’s plans for a data center powered by small modular reactors.

“Bringing Duane Arnold back online serves as a model for the kind of investments needed nationwide to ensure reliable, affordable, and clean power for the AI-driven economy,” said Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google.

Iowa, already home to over $6.8 billion in Google data center investments, has welcomed the project. State Senator Charlie McClintock called it a “big win” for local jobs and energy security, underscoring Iowa’s growing role in America’s clean energy and AI transformation.