However, there are challenges to overcome, including the need for a higher grade of uranium fuel, the handling of nuclear waste, and the establishment of a uranium supply chain. Microsoft has not provided details on how it plans to address these issues. The company has existing deals to buy clean energy credits from Ontario Power Generation, which is set to deploy the first SMR in North America, and Helion, a company developing a fusion power plant.
Key takeaways:
- Microsoft is exploring the use of next-generation nuclear reactors to power its data centers and AI ambitions, according to a job listing for a principal program manager to lead the company’s nuclear energy strategy.
- The company is specifically interested in small modular reactors (SMR), which are considered easier and cheaper to build than traditional large nuclear reactors.
- There are challenges to this approach, including the need for more highly enriched uranium fuel, the handling of nuclear waste, and the establishment of a uranium supply chain.
- Microsoft has also made deals to purchase electricity from companies developing clean energy solutions, including a fusion power plant being developed by Helion.