Google has secured 3.6 GW from Constellation Energy, including 890 MW generated by supercharged nuclear reactors

Google’s largest electricity contract on the PJM network combines an increase in capacity equivalent to 11 nuclear reactors with a long-term supply agreement, in response to the regulations imposed on data centres.

Google has signed an agreement with Constellation Energy for 3,590 MW of electricity within PJM Interconnection, the largest electricity grid in the United States. The contract has two components: a twenty-year power purchase of 890 MW from the power increase of eleven Constellation nuclear reactors located in Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and a long-term supply agreement for an additional 2,700 MW from the energy company's existing capacity on this grid.

The share of new nuclear power therefore represents about a quarter of the total. Constellation plans to spend more than $4.3 billion on it, with a first modernized plant expected in 2028. Increasing the power of existing reactors makes it possible to add low-carbon production faster and at a lower cost than building new plants.

"Bring your own electricity"

The agreement comes at a time when PJM's management is proposing to require data centers connected to its network, which covers thirteen states, to bring their own production, otherwise they could be relieved remotely during consumption peaks. The energy needs of AI are thus pushing digital giants to secure increasingly large volumes themselves.