Google signs deal with Constellation to expand nuclear plant output

Google has announced a new agreement with Constellation, the largest nuclear plant operator in the United States, as it looks to secure more electricity for its energy-hungry data centers.

The deal runs for 20 years. It guarantees the revenue needed to pay for efficiency upgrades at existing nuclear plants and, according to the companies, represents more than $4.3 billion in new investment by Constellation.

Over the next five years, new equipment is expected to add a combined 890 megawatts of nuclear capacity. Google and Constellation say that is roughly what one large new reactor or three small modular reactors would produce.

Six sites in three states

Eleven reactors at six sites in Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey will be modernized. All are connected to the PJM Interconnection grid, the largest in the US, covering 13 states and the District of Columbia, including Loudoun County, Virginia, the country's biggest data center hub.

Pressure on PJM

PJM has recently struggled to keep pace with demand from AI data centers. An independent market monitor filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) last year, arguing that PJM planned to connect data centers it could not reliably supply, which could cause blackouts. In January, the Trump administration and governors of all PJM states called for an emergency auction to support new power plants through long-term contracts. PJM delayed the auction after FERC told it to revise the proposal with stronger safeguards against data centers raising bills for other customers. In New Jersey, electricity prices have risen 54 percent in five years.

A second, larger agreement

Google also signed a separate 15-year supply deal with Constellation for 2,700 MW, guaranteeing revenue for other existing PJM plants regardless of fuel type. Last year nuclear made up 70 percent of Constellation's generating capacity, renewables 8 percent, and gas and oil 22 percent.

Google's carbon emissions rose 18 percent last year, alongside a 37 percent jump in electricity demand.