Preliminary review of closed nuclear sites
Nvidia is reviewing the use of closed nuclear power plant sites in Germany for large artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
According to technology publication TechRadar on October 29, local time, Nvidia reached a preliminary agreement with German utility PreussenElektra to examine whether AI computing facilities could be established at nuclear power plant sites undergoing decommissioning.
The cooperation is unrelated to restarting nuclear power generation. Rather than restarting reactors or producing electricity through nuclear fission, the companies plan to review whether they can use existing grid connections, water availability, industrial infrastructure and available land.
Specific sites have not been disclosed. PreussenElektra is responsible for closing and dismantling 8 nuclear reactors in Germany, so those sites could be considered, but nothing has been confirmed. Germany pursued a nuclear phaseout after the Fukushima nuclear accident and permanently shut down its final 3 operating reactors in April 2023. Around 30 nuclear reactors in Germany are currently undergoing decommissioning.
Guido Knott, chairman of PreussenElektra's management board, said existing power plant sites retain valuable industrial infrastructure that could be put to future-oriented uses, and that the company would assess with Nvidia whether the infrastructure could be used for AI factories.
Markus Hacker, a regional head at Nvidia, also explained that AI factories require electricity, land and high-capacity infrastructure, and that existing industrial sites could provide a foundation for next-generation computing facilities. The companies plan to examine whether each site meets the technical and operational requirements of AI facilities.
Feasibility and unresolved requirements
AI data centers require large amounts of electricity and cooling water, suitable land and grid connections. There are expectations that reusing existing nuclear power plant sites could reduce costs and time compared with building new facilities from scratch.
However, the project remains at the feasibility review stage. The companies have not disclosed the investment amount, detailed designs or construction contracts. It has also not been confirmed whether the existing grid can meet an AI cluster's electricity demand. Permitting procedures, community acceptance among local residents and conversion costs have not yet been specified, so potential cost and schedule savings remain unverified.
An approach excluding reactor restarts could help reduce political sensitivities in Germany. However, whether consultations have taken place with local authorities or residents has not been disclosed. The key questions ahead are whether existing nuclear power plant sites can meet AI data centers' power and operational requirements and whether permitting and cost issues can also be resolved.
Original Korean article: digitaltoday.co.kr
English brief by Korea Wind Intelligence, koreawindintel.com
