SMR Nuclear for Data Centers Accelerates: 22 GW in Development as Tech Giants Commit $10B+

Dec 10, 2025 Written By Blake Crosley

Tech giants have committed over $10 billion to nuclear partnerships, with 22 gigawatts of SMR projects in development globally.¹ The small modular reactor (SMR) market, valued at $6.3 billion in 2024, grew to $6.9 billion in 2025 with a 9.1% CAGR and is projected to reach $13.8 billion by 2032.² The acceleration reflects AI infrastructure's insatiable power demands meeting nuclear energy's carbon-free generation profile. First commercial SMR-powered data centers will come online by 2030, establishing nuclear as a viable power source for hyperscale computing.

Data centers will consume 945 terawatt-hours annually by 2030—equivalent to the entire electricity consumption of Japan.³ The scale of demand creates unprecedented urgency for clean baseload power that grid infrastructure alone cannot provide. SMRs offer a path to dedicated, carbon-free generation sited near or on data center campuses.

Major commitments

Tech industry investments have transformed SMR development from speculative technology to funded infrastructure with over $10 billion committed.

Tech Giant Nuclear Commitments:

Amazon and X-energy

Amazon's agreement with Energy Northwest will enable development of four advanced SMRs, generating roughly 320 megawatts in the first phase with options to increase to 960 MW total.⁴ X-energy has booked orders for 144 small modular reactors delivering over 11 gigawatts of power—the largest SMR order book globally.⁵

X-energy received approximately $500 million in Series C-1 financing from Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund, followed by a $700 million Series D round from Jane Street and other private equity firms in November 2025.⁶ The Xe-100, a fourth-generation high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, produces 80 MW per module over a 60-year operational life.

Microsoft and Three Mile Island

Microsoft's 20-year power purchase agreement with Constellation Energy to restart Three Mile Island Unit 1 secures 837 megawatts of carbon-free power by 2028.⁷ The timeline is achievable because the plant operated until 2019—the project involves re-licensing and refurbishment rather than new construction.

The arrangement demonstrates tech willingness to commit long-term for clean baseload and may enable future SMR investments as technology matures.

Google's dual nuclear strategy

Google pursues nuclear through two parallel tracks. The Kairos Power agreement will build up to seven SMRs providing 500 MW of power, with the first unit online by 2030 and completion by 2035—the first corporate SMR power purchase agreement.⁸

Additionally, Google partnered with Elementl Power to support early-stage development of three advanced nuclear sites across the United States, each designed for a minimum of 600 MW for a combined 1.8 GW capacity.⁹

Oracle and Meta

Oracle plans to deploy at least three SMRs to power a gigawatt-scale data center, pursuing nuclear self-sufficiency.¹⁰ Meta has released a Request for Proposal seeking 1-4 GW of nuclear power, signaling entry into the nuclear data center space.¹¹

NuScale is reportedly in discussions with five major data center operators, suggesting additional commitments pending.¹²

Technology landscape

Multiple SMR designs compete for data center applications with different characteristics and timelines.

SMR Technology Comparison:

NuScale Power

NuScale remains the first and only SMR with full NRC design certification. In late May 2025, the NRC approved NuScale's updated 77 MW design, replacing the earlier 50 MW model.¹³ The certification provides a deployment pathway unavailable to competitors still seeking approval.

NuScale secured a landmark agreement with ENTRA1 Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority in September 2025 for up to 6 gigawatts of SMR deployment.¹⁴ A proposed NuScale 920 MW plant requires only about 35 acres—compared to 5,000-10,000 acres for similar-scale solar.¹⁵

Kairos Power

In December 2023, the NRC approved a construction permit for Hermes, Kairos Power's low-power demonstration reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee—the first construction permit for a non-light-water reactor in over 50 years.¹⁶ The test reactor is expected to complete by 2027.

Kairos uses molten fluoride salt coolant that can operate at atmospheric pressure without risk of steam explosions. Google's seven-reactor agreement makes Kairos a leading contender for data center applications.

Oklo

Oklo moved its Aurora Powerhouse from concept to near-term reality in July 2025, announcing a strategic alliance with Liberty Energy for hyperscale data center power solutions.¹⁷ Pre-construction activities began late 2025, with commercial operations targeted for late 2027 to early 2028—potentially the first SMR deployed specifically for data center use.

GE Hitachi

The BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe SMR designed for affordability using natural circulation and passive cooling. GE Hitachi claims the design slashes capital costs by up to 60% per megawatt compared to traditional reactors.¹⁸ Unlike traditional reactors custom-built on-site over 5-10 years, SMR components are manufactured in controlled factory environments and shipped as standardized modules, reducing construction time to 24-36 months.

Regulatory acceleration

Policy changes at federal and state levels reduce deployment barriers for SMR technology.

Federal streamlining

President Trump signed four Executive Orders in May 2025 to accelerate SMR deployment, including mandating 18-month maximum review timelines for new reactor applications—compared to historical 5-7 year processes.¹⁹ The orders streamline NRC licensing and ease permitting requirements that deterred nuclear investment.

The NRC has increased staff capacity for advanced reactor reviews, with multiple applications proceeding simultaneously under the accelerated framework. X-energy's Xe-100 deployment at Dow's Seadrift Operations in Texas awaits final NRC approval.

State-level support

State lawmakers have considered 55 bills across 19 states in 2025 to encourage SMR development.²⁰ Legislative action includes: - Rolling back decades-old prohibitions on nuclear construction - Providing economic incentives for nuclear manufacturing - Streamlining state-level permitting processes - Offering tax benefits for nuclear infrastructure investment

Nuclear-Friendly States for Data Center Development: - Tennessee: TVA partnership, Kairos Hermes site - Texas: X-energy Dow deployment, favorable permitting - Wyoming: TerraPower Natrium development - Washington: Energy Northwest Amazon partnership - Ohio: Multiple reactor sites, supportive legislature

Data center developers increasingly consider nuclear-friendly regulatory environments in site selection, with regulatory clarity affecting decade-long infrastructure decisions.

Timeline reality

Despite commitment and investment, SMR deployment timelines extend beyond typical infrastructure planning horizons.

First deployments

The earliest SMR-powered data center operations will arrive in late 2027 to early 2028 for aggressive timelines like Oklo's Aurora.¹⁷ More conservative estimates place first commercial SMR data center power at 2030. Organizations requiring power before these dates must use other sources.

The gap between commitment and operation creates transition planning requirements. Data centers cannot wait for SMR power but can plan facilities to receive nuclear power when available. Hybrid approaches combining grid, renewable, and eventual nuclear power provide practical pathways.

Scale limitations

Even with 22 GW in development, SMR capacity represents a fraction of projected data center demand. The 106 GW data center demand projected for 2035 cannot be met through SMR deployment alone.¹⁸ Nuclear serves as one component of diversified power strategies rather than complete solution.

Decision framework: nuclear power for your data center

Actionable steps for infrastructure planners: 1. Site selection: Prioritize states with nuclear-enabling legislation (19 states considering SMR bills in 2025) 2. Utility relationships: Engage with utilities partnering on SMR projects (TVA, Energy Northwest) 3. Hybrid planning: Design facilities for grid power initially with nuclear transition capability 4. Timeline alignment: Match facility planning horizon (10+ years) with SMR deployment timelines

Professional guidance

Nuclear infrastructure planning requires specialized expertise beyond typical data center development.

Introl's network of 550 field engineers support organizations evaluating nuclear and other power options for AI infrastructure.¹⁹ The company ranked #14 on the 2025 Inc. 5000 with 9,594% three-year growth.²⁰

Expertise across 257 global locations addresses power infrastructure needs regardless of geography.²¹ Professional guidance helps organizations navigate the complex intersection of nuclear technology, regulation, and data center requirements.

Key takeaways

For data center developers: - 22 GW SMR capacity in development, first deployments 2027-2030 - Tech giants committed $10B+, validating nuclear as serious DC power source - Site selection now affects nuclear access for facilities operating into 2030s

For infrastructure planners: - NuScale: only NRC-certified SMR design (77 MWe modules) - Oklo Aurora: fastest timeline (late 2027-early 2028) - GE Hitachi BWRX-300: claims 60% cost reduction vs traditional nuclear

For strategic planning: - Nuclear serves as component of diversified power strategy, not complete solution - 22 GW SMR capacity represents fraction of 106 GW projected 2035 DC demand - State-level regulatory environment increasingly important for site selection

Outlook

SMR nuclear power has transitioned from theoretical option to funded infrastructure development. Tech giant commitments exceeding $10 billion and 22 GW in development pipelines establish nuclear as serious data center power source. First deployments by 2030 will prove commercial viability while scale-up continues.

Organizations planning long-term AI infrastructure should incorporate nuclear power potential into site selection and facility design. The timeline extends beyond typical planning horizons, but decisions made now affect nuclear power accessibility for facilities operating into the 2030s and beyond.

References

Urgency: High — Tech giant commitments accelerating deployment timelines Word Count: ~2,200