India, UK Explore SMRs to Power Data Centre Expansion Amid Energy Challenges

India is exploring the use of small modular reactors (SMRs) to power its rapidly growing data centre industry, driven by the surge in AI technologies, aiming for a reliable and carbon-free energy supply amid soaring power demands. SMRs are compact nuclear microreactors capable of generating up to 20 megawatts of electricity with advanced safety features, and they offer advantages such as lower construction costs, faster deployment, and compatibility with renewable energy sources. Terra Innovatum, a nuclear startup, is leveraging a SPAC merger to raise $230 million to scale micro-modular nuclear reactors, reflecting a broader revival of nuclear technology fueled by the need for clean, reliable power in AI data centres. The UK plans to build its first nuclear-powered data centre using SMRs at Cottam, Nottinghamshire, with a unique closed-loop cooling system, addressing the high energy and water demands of AI infrastructure and aligning with government ambitions for self-sufficiency in power. However, challenges remain globally, including high energy costs, grid capacity concerns, and the long lead times for nuclear projects, which may delay meeting the immediate surge in data centre energy needs. Despite these hurdles, nuclear microreactors are emerging as a promising solution to power AI's energy-intensive future sustainably.