The Importance of Nuclear Energy in Achieving Net Zero

Nuclear funding startups got enriched in Q2'25. 2025 funding to nuclear startups has already passed 2024 levels and is on track to more than double YoY. The surge in nuclear technology investments is creating what many see as a nuclear renaissance. What's fueling the nuclear boom? 1) AI and Data Center Energy Crisis The primary catalyst is the explosive growth in AI-driven energy demand. US data center power consumption is projected to triple from 25GW in 2024 to over 80GW by 2030, creating a $500B power infrastructure gap. Between 2023 and 2028, data centers could drive nearly half of US electricity growth. Tech companies are responding with unprecedented nuclear investments and investment activity has exploded across nuclear sectors: →SMR funding: 2025 equity funding is on pace to match 2022's record year, driven primarily by tech companies seeking reliable AI power →Fusion investment: The sector has attracted over $6.4B in equity funding since 2020, with tech companies leading recent rounds →Defense applications: Nuclear-adjacent defense tech reached a record $11.1B in funding within the first two quarters of 2025 Nuclear offers unique advantages that renewable sources can't match: →24/7 reliability: Unlike intermittent solar and wind, nuclear provides consistent baseload power essential for AI operations →Carbon-free energy: Meets corporate sustainability goals while delivering massive scale →Energy independence: Reduces reliance on volatile energy markets and geopolitically sensitive supply chains 2) Supply Chain Urgency Supply chain bottlenecks are forcing companies to secure nuclear capacity early. NuScale Power and TerraPower have delayed first plant deployments to 2030 due to high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel shortages, pushing companies to secure supply agreements proactively. 3) Proven Commercial Viability Nuclear technologies are demonstrating commercial success through medical applications, building investor confidence. SHINE Technologies successfully produces medical isotopes using fusion technology, while TerraPower Isotopes contracts with pharmaceutical companies for cancer treatment materials. 4) Government Policy Support Robust government backing includes Centrus Energy's $3B Department of Energy contract for domestic HALEU production, and the DOE's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Projects providing $2B to TerraPower and $1.2B to X-energy. This convergence of AI-driven demand, tech company capital, supply chain pressures, and policy support is creating the most favorable environment for nuclear investment in decades. *Data from CB Insights’ State of Venture Q2’25 report. Explore the latest data on what happened last quarter across the startup ecosystem at the link in the comments.

This is twenty four years of electricity. The legacy of a single plant that quietly delivered 5 terawatt-hours per year to the grid, year after year, for over two decades. Today, every gram of its spent fuel rests securely in 64 dry casks on an 4.5 hectare pad in rural Maine. Critics often point to the “nuclear waste problem.” Here it is. Visible, stable, monitored. Unlike the gigatons of carbon we bury in the atmosphere with fossil fuels, nuclear waste stays put, and it’s engineered to do so safely. No other energy source accounts for its byproducts with this level of precision. We’ve spent decades debating while emissions keep rising. Society needs reliable baseload power without burning anything or covering hundreds of square kilometers to get it. Let’s stop treating nuclear waste as if it’s unmanageable. It’s already managed. And it’s orders of magnitude smaller than the waste streams we ignore every day. Nuclear is the one of the most viable energy solutions we have for a livable planet. It’s time we stopped fighting about it. #NuclearEnergy #CleanEnergy #ClimateAction

🌍 The AI Energy Dilemma: Turning a Challenge into a Climate Opportunity ⚡ By now, we’ve all heard about the staggering energy demands of AI and data centers. The numbers are eye-opening: - Data centers alone could require 14 GW of additional power by 2030. - Power demand for U.S. data centers is projected to skyrocket from 147 TWh in 2023 to 606 TWh by 2030 (according to McKinsey). - Goldman Sachs Research estimates that AI could increase data center carbon emissions by $125-140 billion between 2023 and 2030. This unprecedented energy consumption presents a massive challenge—but also an opportunity. If we’re going to power the AI revolution, let’s do it in a way that doesn’t exacerbate the climate crisis. Renewables like wind and solar, paired with batteries, are critical, but they alone can’t provide the grid stability and resiliency required by data centers. That’s where nuclear energy comes in. Nuclear is a carbon-neutral, reliable, and consistent base load energy source that can meet the demands of AI without drastically increasing emissions. The good news? Industry leaders are already moving in this direction. Companies like Microsoft and Google have announced plans to bring nuclear plants back online, recognizing nuclear as a key part of the solution. Here’s why nuclear is a game-changer: 1. Smaller Footprint: Nuclear plants require far less land than wind or solar farms. 2. Reliability: Unlike intermittent renewables, nuclear provides consistent power, essential for data centers. 3. Zero Emissions: Nuclear energy is clean, producing no carbon dioxide during operation. 4. Safety: Modern nuclear technology is incredibly much safer than before - the total environmental externalities fail in comparisons to the mining and extraction of all other energy sources (including inputs into renewables) As climate advocates, we have a unique opportunity to reframe this narrative. Instead of viewing the AI energy surge as a problem, let’s champion renewables and nuclear as a solution. By supporting the integration of nuclear energy into the grid, we can turn the AI energy challenge into a catalyst for a clean energy revolution. The AI revolution is here—let’s make sure it’s powered by a climate-positive energy solution. 🌱 #AI #ClimateAction #NuclearEnergy #Sustainability #CleanEnergy #DataCenters #Innovation

Exciting things are happening at Microsoft on the nuclear energy front! Three weeks ago I wrote about how Microsoft could take the lead in bringing nuclear power to supply zero carbon energy to power the burgeoning and seemingly insatiable needs for AI. https://lnkd.in/ePjSftAJ At that time they were talking about it but hadn't done anything about it. That has changed. Yesterday an article appeared in The Washington Post about how Microsoft is working with Constellation to reopen the Three Mile Island Power plant by 2028 to provide 835 megawatts of power, enough to power 800,000 homes, but with no additional cost to homeowners. Bobby Hollis, Microsoft's vice president of energy stated that “This agreement is a major milestone in Microsoft’s efforts to help decarbonize the grid in support of our commitment to become carbon negative." The article contains one factual error. In discussing small modular reactors (SMRs) it states that this technology "is in its infancy and has not yet been approved by regulators. Not true. The SMR company NuScale Power has been licensed by the NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION, UNITED STATES to install its SMRs. It is the only SMR company to have such a license. Microsoft is pursuing SMRs as well. An article in TechBullion (published the day before the one in WaPo) discusses a $30 billion fund being created by BlackRock and Microsoft to invest in technologies to power AI. It notes that "NuScale Power is set to play a pivotal role in powering Microsoft’s AI ambitions." NuScale has an exclusive global strategic partnership with ENTRA1 Energy to sell and install SMRs in the U.S. and globally, including selling energy generated by its own power plants. Looks like Microsoft will indeed be taking the lead on bringing SMRs to meet America's energy needs, both for AI and more generally. Hat's off to them! This is vitally important for decarbonizing our energy system, keeping us ahead of China in the strategically important race to develop AI capabilities, and ensuring America's energy security.

I am seeing a major perception shift around nuclear energy. Here's the thing with nuclear: -It produces zero greenhouse gas emissions during operation -Its lifetime carbon footprint is comparable to wind and smaller than solar power -Among all electricity sources, nuclear has the lowest carbon footprint from cradle to grave. Having lived in France, I witnessed firsthand how reliable and effective this energy source can be when managed properly. France powers 75% of its electricity demand using nuclear energy - a result of their strategic policy decision in the 1970s following the oil crisis. Today, France enjoys some of the lowest electricity costs and per capita carbon emissions among developed nations. What most don't know is that the United States is actually the world's largest producer of nuclear power, accounting for 30% of worldwide nuclear electricity generation. Recent developments show growing support: The Inflation Reduction Act (2022) provided significant support for both existing and new nuclear development through investment and tax incentives. We're seeing tangible progress - two new reactors, Vogtle 3 and 4, were connected to the grid in 2023 and 2024, marking our first major nuclear expansion in decades. For now it seems like the new Trump administration supports nuclear, particularly keeping existing plants open and investing in small modular reactors. As we face growing energy demands and climate challenges, nuclear energy can play an important role...if we let it. #energytransition #climatetech #nuclearpower #ClimateVC

⚛️ Could Nuclear Be the Secret Weapon for AI-Powered Data Centers? ⚡ As AI accelerates demand for massive, 24/7 power across hyperscale campuses, Deloitte’s latest report lays out a compelling case for nuclear energy as the backbone of future data center infrastructure. And the numbers are staggering. 🔋 Why Nuclear Makes Sense for AI: ✅ Reliable Baseload Power – With a 92.5% capacity factor, nuclear is unmatched for consistent, around-the-clock power 💡 ✅ Compact Energy Density – A small amount of fuel generates huge amounts of electricity, ideal for high-density colocation ⚙️ ✅ Clean Emissions Profile – Near-zero greenhouse gas emissions during operation 🌱 ✅ Big Output, Small Footprint – A single reactor can generate 800+ MW—enough for a cluster of high-performance AI factories 🧠🏭 📈 Deloitte’s Forecast To meet rising data center demand, the U.S. may need to add 35–62 GW of new nuclear capacity—enough to power 10% of projected growth over the next decade. 🧠 AI Needs Nuclear, and Vice Versa As inference workloads soar and compute demand becomes “always-on”, only firm, scalable, zero-carbon power like nuclear can keep pace. Pathways to Scale: 🔧 Optimize existing reactors (many relicensed for 80+ years!) 🔁 Restart closed nuclear plants 🔬 Deploy Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and microreactors for flexible siting 🗣️ “Advanced nuclear could be the infrastructure enabler for next-gen data centers.” 📄 Full report by Deloitte 👉 https://lnkd.in/d3n6TTVg #AI #DataCenters #NuclearEnergy #EnergyTransition #Hyperscale #DeloitteInsights #SMRs #CleanPower #Sustainability

Nuclear fuel, particularly uranium, is incredibly energy-dense. Just one kilogram of uranium-235 can generate an estimated 80 terajoules of energy through nuclear fission—a process where atomic nuclei split and release vast amounts of energy. In comparison, one kilogram of coal produces only about 24 megajoules of energy. This means that a single kilogram of uranium can yield as much energy as approximately 2.7 to 3.3 million kilograms of coal. This massive energy potential makes uranium a highly efficient fuel source. Beyond its efficiency, nuclear energy offers significant environmental advantages. Unlike coal, which emits substantial amounts of carbon dioxide and pollutants when burned, nuclear power generation releases almost no greenhouse gases during operation. This makes it a cleaner and more sustainable alternative in the long run. While issues such as radioactive waste and nuclear safety require careful management, the overall benefits of nuclear energy in terms of energy output and low emissions make it a critical component in the transition toward cleaner and more reliable energy systems.

Meta Finally Joins the Nuclear Club — And the Signal Couldn’t Be Clearer Meta just signed a 20-year deal with Constellation Energy to purchase the output from the Clinton nuclear plant in Illinois. It’s the company’s first long-term nuclear agreement, and it comes at a critical moment for both tech and energy. 📡 As the AI boom accelerates, hyperscalers are scrambling to secure the clean, round-the-clock electricity needed to power massive data center growth. Data doesn’t sleep, and neither can the grid. Amazon, Google, and Microsoft already got the memo: — Amazon committed $500M to X-Energy’s advanced reactors — Google is partnering with Kairos Power to deploy clean nuclear at scale — Microsoft signed a deal with Constellation to help bring back Three Mile Island Meta took its time. Almost a full year behind the curve. But the direction is the same. Nuclear is no longer “optional.” It’s now foundational to tech’s energy strategy. 🔋 The Clinton deal extends the plant’s life beyond the end of state subsidies in 2027, preserving over 1,100 jobs and adding 30 MW of new clean power. More importantly, it shows how existing nuclear assets, not just future SMRs, can immediately support digital infrastructure. 🌍 Zoom out: every major tech company is moving toward nuclear as a clean, reliable, zero-carbon base. The question isn’t if,  it’s when. But here’s the problem no one’s talking about: Do we even have enough supply? With Big Tech, industrials, and climate targets converging on nuclear, it’s time to ask how we scale fast enough. That means: — Long-term contracts to motivate suppliers — Clear pathways to build — Financing tools that unlock new deployment, not just keep existing plants alive Constellation’s CEO said it best: “Supporting the relicensing and expansion of existing plants is just as impactful as building new ones.” This is the next phase of the clean energy transition, and nuclear is at its core. Are we ready to meet the moment? Sources:  https://lnkd.in/dDk-fUKA https://lnkd.in/dJ524HMT https://lnkd.in/d3DFnDSg https://lnkd.in/dWdJ-8K8 https://lnkd.in/dz3NXfRw #NuclearEnergy #Meta #CleanEnergy #AI #EnergyTransition #NetZero #Constellation #AdvancedNuclear #SMRs #PowerPurchase #BaseLoad #Infrastructure #BigTech #ElectricityDemand #ClintonNuclear #PPAs #TriplingNuclear #EnergySecurity #AIInfrastructure #EnergyStorage

𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘂𝗽 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗸𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀. In contrast, those relying on more reliable sources like hydro, nuclear, or geothermal energy enjoy lower electricity prices👉 https://lnkd.in/grWAxtxc. Nuclear energy can replace coal plants by reusing existing infrastructure, such as access roads, parking, offices, power lines, and switchyards. This allows for the provision of reliable, clean power—something solar and wind cannot achieve on their own. To replace reliable but polluting coal and gas electricity with solar and wind on a 24/7/365 basis, we need several costly and complex accessories: 💰 𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲: More land is required for energy production, which could otherwise be restored with vegetation. Replacing solar with nuclear would result in a negative carbon footprint! 👉https://lnkd.in/gNYm92Gh 💰 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀: Since solar and wind do not produce power all the time, providing 1 GW 24/7 requires 3 to 5 times the nameplate capacity. This factor also applies to power lines, which are underused due to the capacity factor of these sources 👉https://lnkd.in/gccxqkK6. 💰 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘂𝗽 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀: To be cost-effective, backup sources with high variable costs are needed. Using nuclear or geothermal as backup is inefficient since they cost about the same whether producing or idling. Thus, gas or coal with expensive carbon capture and storage systems are the only options for net-zero goals. Solar and wind require a duplicated grid ready to kick in during production gaps. 💰 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲: Capable of storing energy for 3 to 7 days, depending on the backup system. While 3 days might seem excessive, it is not enough for island mode operation based on real-life experiments 👉https://lnkd.in/gMXVvVi9. 💰 𝗜𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀: Giant flywheels are needed to regulate frequency and prevent catastrophic cascading blackouts. 💰 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: While not the best solution, they are a last resort for desperate regions. However, they are starting to fail due to the correlation between adjacent grids. Read more here 👉https://lnkd.in/g7kQrzzj 💰 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲: When all else fails, customers are asked to reduce consumption during peak times, especially during hot or cold windless sunsets. This is a common practice in California 👉https://lnkd.in/gMJ3Ftac. 💰 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀: Planned random blackouts when all other measures fail.  The FERC has already warned Congress about the risk of rolling blackouts due to the rapid deployment of solar and wind without the necessary ‘accessories’ 👉https://lnkd.in/gHnHgA-Y.

Three Mile Island is reopening to power Microsoft's data centers—a great example of how nuclear energy is being chosen by the private sector as a preferred means to abate climate change. From my perspective, we need to be transparent about the challenges around nuclear—great care is needed to ensure safe operation. But statistics show nuclear energy is one of the safest and most reliable ways to power our world even without considering carbon. When you add the negative impacts of climate change, it’s clear that nuclear energy offers real benefits over alternatives. Public and commercial sentiment are shifting, and so is political support. We’re seeing both Democrats and Republicans back nuclear, and global leaders like John Kerry have come around to the idea that nuclear must be part of the solution. It’s a critical step forward. The challenge associated with nuclear waste also presents an opportunity, which is why SHINE is working with our partners to recycle used fuel and make nuclear energy renewable. I’ve always believed that fission is a critical transitional technology, something that should serve us well in the near term. But fusion is the future. It’s the key to almost limitless energy. Until we get there, fission is the best option we have to meet our energy demands while fighting climate change. And examples like Three Mile Island powering data centers show exactly how nuclear can fit into that picture today. https://hubs.li/Q02RpGK00 #threemileisland #fusion #cleanenergy