Science & Tech · AI · 2 hrs ago
Nvidia and German utility study AI data centers at retired nuclear sites
Nvidia and German utility PreussenElektra will study whether retired nuclear power sites in Germany could become AI data centers.
Germany shut its last operating reactors in April 2023 and is dismantling about 30 nuclear stations.
The study will consider existing grid links, land and industrial infrastructure at sites managed by PreussenElektra.
Neither company has named the locations, and the eight sites the utility oversees are only a possible focus.
The reactors will not be restarted to supply electricity for the data centers.
Reusing former power stations might reduce building costs and speed up construction, but the potential savings remain unproven because power capacity, conversion costs and approvals have not been settled.
The companies have made no binding construction agreements, so the next step is an assessment of whether the sites meet the technical and operating needs of AI facilities.
Nvidia and German utility PreussenElektra have agreed to study whether retired nuclear power plant sites could be reused as AI data centers.
The companies say they will assess the sites’ grid connections, land and industrial infrastructure.
The plan does not include restarting reactors or generating electricity through nuclear fission.
The study is exploratory, and no sites, funding, designs or binding construction contracts have been announced.
Germany shut down its final operating nuclear reactors in April 2023 and is dismantling about 30 nuclear stations.
- Who
- Nvidia and PreussenElektra GmbH, a German utility.
- What
- They agreed to study whether retired nuclear power plant sites could be used as AI data centers.
- When
- The agreement’s signing date is not stated. TechRadar reported it on October 29, 2026.
- Where
- At decommissioned nuclear facilities in Germany; specific sites have not been named.
- Why
- To assess whether existing infrastructure could support AI computing and contribute to Germany’s AI capacity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Germany permanently closed its final operating nuclear reactors.
TechRadar reported that Nvidia and PreussenElektra had agreed to study reuse of retired nuclear sites.
- Companies
- Nvidia and PreussenElektra GmbH
- Country
- Germany
- Retired stations
- About 30 are being dismantled nationwide
- PreussenElektra sites
- The utility oversees closure and teardown of eight stations
- Agreement status
- Preliminary study; no binding building contracts announced
What people are saying
Our former power plant sites have valuable industrial infrastructure and offer opportunities for new, future-oriented uses.
AI factories require access to power, land and high-capacity infrastructure, and former industrial sites could provide a strong foundation for this next generation of computing.