Google Secures Power from NextEra’s Revived Iowa Nuclear Plant

Google Commits to Nuclear Power for Data Centers in Landmark NextEra Deal

Google has struck a significant power purchase agreement (PPA) with NextEra Energy Inc. to secure electricity from the revived Duane Arnold Energy Center in Iowa. This move marks a major commitment by the technology giant to utilize reliable, carbon-free nuclear energy to meet the immense power demands of its growing data center operations.

The agreement centers on bringing the shuttered nuclear facility back online. The Duane Arnold plant, located near Palo, Iowa, is expected to begin delivering power to Google’s infrastructure by 2029, following the completion of necessary revival and refurbishment efforts.

This deal is crucial for Google, which has pledged to operate its data centers and campuses on 24/7 carbon-free energy by the end of the decade. By securing power from a nuclear source, Google gains access to baseload power—electricity generated constantly, regardless of weather conditions—a critical component often missing when relying solely on intermittent sources like wind and solar.

The Revival of Duane Arnold Energy Center

The Duane Arnold Energy Center (DAEC) has a unique history that underscores the significance of this revival effort. The plant, which had operated for nearly 47 years, was permanently shut down in August 2020 after suffering substantial damage from a powerful derecho storm that swept through the Midwest.

At the time of its closure, NextEra had already planned to decommission the facility. The decision to now reverse that process and invest in restarting the plant highlights the substantial demand for reliable, non-emitting power from major corporate buyers like Google. The specific terms of the agreement, including the volume of power Google will purchase, were not immediately disclosed, but the power is intended primarily for the company’s regional data centers.

Why Nuclear is Essential for Data Centers

As the demand for artificial intelligence (AI) processing and cloud services accelerates, data centers require increasingly large and constant supplies of electricity. This presents a challenge for companies aiming for net-zero emissions, as intermittent renewable sources alone cannot guarantee power 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Nuclear power offers a solution by providing high-capacity, zero-carbon electricity around the clock. This characteristic is vital for meeting Google’s 24/7 carbon-free energy commitment, which goes beyond simply offsetting annual consumption with renewable energy credits.

• Baseload Reliability: Nuclear reactors run continuously, providing stable power output necessary for uninterrupted data center operations.
• Carbon-Free Operation: Nuclear generation produces no direct greenhouse gas emissions during operation.
• Grid Stability: Large, reliable sources like nuclear help stabilize the grid, especially in regions integrating high volumes of intermittent renewables.

Broader Implications for Corporate Energy Strategy

Google’s decision to partner with NextEra on the revival of a nuclear plant signals a growing trend among major corporations to diversify their clean energy portfolios beyond traditional wind and solar farms. This strategy acknowledges the physical limitations of intermittent renewables in achieving true 24/7 carbon-free operation.

This deal sets a precedent that could encourage other energy-intensive industries—from manufacturing to cryptocurrency mining—to explore long-term PPAs with nuclear providers, including existing facilities and future Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

“The commitment to nuclear power underscores the reality that achieving ambitious 24/7 clean energy goals requires every available non-emitting technology. This move validates nuclear as a critical component of the future energy mix for high-demand users,” stated an industry analyst familiar with corporate energy procurement.

For NextEra, one of the largest electric power and clean energy companies in the U.S., the agreement provides a clear, long-term revenue stream that justifies the significant capital investment required to refurbish and restart the Duane Arnold facility.

Key Takeaways

• Major Energy Shift: Google is securing power from a revived nuclear plant in Iowa, moving beyond traditional renewable PPAs to ensure 24/7 carbon-free energy for its data centers.
• Plant Revival: The Duane Arnold Energy Center, shut down after the 2020 derecho storm, will be restarted by NextEra Energy Inc. and is expected to be operational by 2029.
• Baseload Necessity: The deal highlights the critical need for baseload, zero-carbon power—a role nuclear energy uniquely fills—to support the continuous, high-intensity demands of modern data centers and AI infrastructure.
• Industry Precedent: This partnership signals a growing acceptance and reliance on nuclear power within the technology sector to meet stringent sustainability goals.

Conclusion: A New Era for Corporate Clean Energy

This agreement between Google and NextEra is more than just a power deal; it represents a significant pivot in corporate sustainability strategy. By investing in the revival of a nuclear facility, Google is demonstrating that achieving true, round-the-clock carbon neutrality requires embracing technologies that can provide reliable power independent of weather patterns. As data center energy consumption continues to soar, such partnerships are likely to become the blueprint for how major corporations secure their energy future while meeting aggressive climate commitments.