For decades, nuclear power was sidelined by fears of proliferation and meltdown, but a “new atomic consensus” is emerging. Driven by AI’s voracious energy demands and Great Power competition, nuclear is no longer a neglected utility—it is now a cornerstone of national security.
Nuclear has a new risk calculus: Americans increasingly accept the remote risk of a nuclear incident over the near-certain loss of energy dominance—and AI leadership—to China and Russia, who are rapidly scaling their nuclear capacity.
This “Nuclear or Nothing” mindset is gaining traction, reflected not only in recent nuclear investments or partnerships by tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, but also in a new wave of “Silicon Valley-trained” entrepreneurs, backed by civic-minded venture capitalists, innovating to strengthen America’s energy edge for the next century.
Nuclear and Geopolitics
Nuclear power can destroy cities—or power them. A deterrent as a weapon, nuclear is now diplomacy as a grid asset. Russia and China know this: they are aggressively winning “hearts and minds” by electrifying nations.
Russia is already using its nuclear power capabilities to reinforce geopolitical ties. The World Nuclear Association reports that Russia has over 20 nuclear reactors either confirmed or planned for export (World Nuclear Association). One reactor nearing completion in Turkey may supply 10% of the country’s energy needs once online (World Nuclear News).
China’s ambitions go further. Domestically, China currently has 29 reactors under construction (IAEA).Through its Belt and Road Initiative, China plans to build 30 reactors abroad by 2030, targeting 30% of nuclear energy markets across 40 countries (ScienceDirect).
The U.S. must choose: build new nuclear or cede energy dominance to rivals. Two groups refuse to yield: “Big Tech,” driven by data center and AI demands, and startups, or “Little Tech,” determined to reimagine nuclear across every scale and supply chain.
Big Tech’s Big Move into Nuclear
Recent months have revealed perhaps Big Tech’s biggest challenge: securing affordable, reliable kilowatt-hours of energy from the grid. Here’s a recap of recent developments:
● September, 2024: Microsoft and Constellation Energy will reopen Three Mile Island as the Crane Clean Energy Center by 2028, generating 835 MW of carbon-free energy, creating 3,400 jobs, and adding $16 billion to Pennsylvania’s GDP (Constellation Energy).
● October, 2024: Amazon and Dominion Energy are exploring Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology to meet Virginia’s power demand, which is expected to double in 15 years (Dominion Energy).
● October, 2024: Google and Kairos Power signed a corporate agreement to deploy SMRs, targeting 500 MW of nuclear power by 2035 (Google Blog).
Big Tech is betting on nuclear to provide what renewables haven’t: 24/7/365 clean, baseload power essential for data centers and AI.
Startups Reimagining Nuclear Power
While Big Tech’s nuclear initiatives grab headlines, a new wave of mission-driven startup entrepreneurs—alumni of engineering-heavy tech giants like SpaceX and smaller companies—are quietly choosing to build in the nuclear sector. These founders apply agile, software-first principles to tackle one of the most challenging hardware environments.
This collaborative cohort of founders is redefining “modern nuclear.” Consider the old nuclear meme: a large, unsightly plant, likely built in the 1970s, towering over a beautiful lakeshore. In contrast, new nuclear features advanced, compact reactors that fit in parking lots, semi-trucks, airplane cargo holds, or spacecraft. These reactors can power remote locations, like islands and villages, and even support missions to Mars. Technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which power 100,000 homes, and micro-reactors, which power about 1,000 homes, exemplify this innovation. Additionally, entrepreneurs are tackling the pragmatic yet less glamorous challenges—like enrichment and waste—that have long plagued the nuclear sector.
Protection through Innovation
The U.S. has long set itself apart from geopolitical rivals through creativity and entrepreneurship. While China leverages brute-force scale and favorable input economics for its nuclear diplomacy, America has relentless ingenuity. With demand from mega-cap tech companies and a new wave of founders dedicated to revitalizing the aging electric grid with nuclear power, the U.S. is poised to reclaim its energy dominance and navigate one of the great national security challenges of our times