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NN Asks: How can nuclear energy support the rising energy demand from data centers?
Nicolas Stauff
Data centers power our digital lives—along with many aspects of our economy and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. Electricity demand is rising rapidly, with the domestic data center load projected to increase from 4 percent to 9 percent of U.S. electricity consumption by 2030. This surge is already reshaping utility planning, grid interconnection queues, and the market for reliable power nationwide.
Nuclear energy is well matched to data center needs, because it provides reliable, 24/7 electricity with stable long-term costs. Modern hyperscale data center campuses can require hundreds of megawatts for IT equipment and cooling, and many applications demand maximum uptime. At the same time, leading hyperscalers have aggressive decarbonization commitments that limit reliance on fossil generation. Data centers also require fiber connectivity, a skilled workforce, and local acceptance—yet they can deliver meaningful tax base and employment impacts, especially when coupled with a major energy project.
At Fluor, we design and build the world's toughest projects. We provide professional and technical solutions to deliver safe, well-executed, capital-efficient engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects to clients globally. Fluor has a demonstrated performance of providing highly technical solutions for environmental and nuclear program management services at nuclear sites in the U.S. and Canada. With more than 80 years working in the industry, our expertise in nuclear remediation and waste disposal, nuclear security and laboratory management is unmatched.
www.fluor.com
