A nuclear-powered data center is opening this year
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Cumulus data (opens in new tab) has announced a new data center in northeastern Pennsylvania powered by nuclear energy.
Data centers typically require massive amounts of energy to operate, and despite server improvements that have delivered significant efficiency and power bumps in recent years, the industry is still under pressure to clean up emissions as the world gears up for net zero.
In turn, the company is opening its flagship data center that will measure 475 megawatts, which it is calling Susquehanna.
Susquehanna Nuclear Data Center
Phase 1 is complete, meaning space in the 48-megawatt, 300,000-square-foot data center is available for lease.
The total area to be occupied by the 475 megawatt campus is set at 12,000 acres, said to be the first of its kind in the US.
Cumulus promises low-carbon, low-cost, reliable power powered by Talen Energy’s nearby Susquehanna Nuclear Power Generation Plant.
The new data centers will connect directly to the 2.5 gigawatt power plants, which Cumulus says will deliver significant value to its customers “without going through old power transmission and distribution companies.”
This means it will be able to offer “the most attractive electricity rate in the US”, in addition to giving companies the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint.
In addition to the obvious benefits to businesses, the company hopes to create “family support” jobs and provide technology training to businesses in the Pennsylvania area, among other things. It also hopes to continue expanding such projects in other areas where Talen Energy is active.
While there are clear concerns about the use of nuclear power, it does at least represent a major step forward in decarbonising data centers.