AI Boom Puts Nuclear Power Expansion in Focus

Global operating nuclear reactor capacity is expected to more than triple by 2060, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, as data centres and artificial intelligence drive growing demand for electricity.

The outlook puts nuclear power back at the centre of discussions about how to secure a steady supply of low-emission electricity. As digital infrastructure expands, meeting its power needs is becoming an increasingly important energy challenge.

For the AI sector, the issue extends beyond computing capacity to the electricity needed to support it. Rising demand from data centres is adding momentum to the debate over nuclear expansion.

Nuclear power’s ability to provide stable output makes it a prominent option in that debate. Its low-emission profile also gives it a role in efforts to increase electricity supply while limiting the associated emissions.

The agency’s projection points to a substantial expansion over the coming decades, rather than a guaranteed outcome. It nevertheless highlights how the AI boom could help shape the future of nuclear energy.