Tech Giants Pledge Support To Triple Global Nuclear Energy Capacity By 2050

Amazon, Google, and Meta have joined a coalition of major companies pledging to support the goal of tripling global nuclear energy capacity by 2050, according to ESG Today. 

The already-growing number of companies from the "Large Energy Users Pledge," whose initiative was under the World Nuclear Association, includes Allseas, Bureau Veritas, Dow, Siemens Energy, and Occidental. It proclaims the thirst for energy across sectors and reaffirms nuclear power as a leading means for it to be safer, more sustainable, and provide a reliable source of clean energy.

The action comes as there is increased interest in nuclear power from tech firms with the requirement to power fast-growing AI-driven data center infrastructure without sacrificing carbon reduction ambitions. Meta revealed in December that it would invite proposals to U.S. nuclear power developers with a view to delivering 1-4 GW of new nuclear capacity. Meta's Energy Head, Urvi Parekh, stated that the project has already received more than 50 qualified bids. Meta is interested in partnerships to drive nuclear power development and ramp up the technology to reduce the cost.

Amazon spent more than 1 billion dollars on nuclear power programs alone last year as part of the company's Climate Pledge of going net-zero for carbon emissions by 2040.. Brandon Oyer, Head of Americas Energy and Water by Amazon Web Service, stated that the main role of nuclear is in maintaining national security, ensuring that energy is produced to meet the needs of the future, and preventing the climate from being further destroyed. 

Google is hoping to go carbon-free in the power sector by 2030. It has signed its first advanced nuclear deal with Kairos Power in October 2024. The deal is focusing on the deployment of small-scale nuclear projects to deliver Google data centers with up to 500 MW of clean energy. Lucia Tian, the head of Clean Energy Technologies & Decarbonization, pressed the potential of nuclear energy in securing a dependable and sustainable energy future. 

In the months to come, WNA expects a considerable increase in joining the pledge should interest trickle from other sectors such as aviation, maritime, chemicals, and oil & gas. Sama Bilbao y Leon, Director General, mentioned the role of nuclear energy as key to driving grow and advancements in any industry, besides creating and ensuring a clean energy future.