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Mothballed nuclear projects are suddenly hot commodities as investors race to power AI data centers. 

Why it matters: Energy access is the main barrier to building out AI, and these deals can jump the massive queue for new energy projects and gear.

Driving the news: Brookfield is in advanced talks to buy and restart Santee Cooper's stalled nuclear projects in South Carolina, with a final agreement possible next month.

Brookfield is simultaneously talking to Big Tech and other potential energy buyers, plus seeking construction partners.

The projects, dubbed V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, will use two AP1000 nuclear reactors, and the bill will likely reach into the tens of billions of dollars.

Zoom out: Nuclear players and hyperscalers have been eyeing those mothballed projects because the sites have already been certified and have jumped over some initial hurdles so they can come online more quickly than a greenfield project. 

Dan Lipman, president of energy systems at Westinghouse Electric Systems, expects VC Summer Nuclear to be the next reactors to go online anywhere in the U.S.

The project could provide a foothold for one of the rising nuclear developer startups that promise to lower the costs and speed the timelines of nuclear by developing a fleet of projects.

The Nuclear Company in April opened an engineering and construction office in Richland County, South Carolina, a short drive from VC Summer.

Yes, but: In 2017, Santee Cooper paused the reactors' construction after the project lost $9 billion over four years and drove Westinghouse into bankruptcy.

The big picture: Energy deals are prioritizing "time to power" as the leading factor over price or emissions. 

Prized nuclear deals that have work done include restarting the Holtec Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan, and Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island.

The Trump administration, with its goal of lowering barriers for the AI buildout, is looking to help, too.

Department of Energy head Chris Wright pushed FERC on Friday to quickly craft formal rules that speed data centers' connection to power grids, asking for a final rule before May 2026.

The intrigue: Wright is expected to make an announcement Monday afternoon with the CEOs of HPE and AMD. Expect AI energy to be front and center.

The bottom line: Next-gen nuclear captures eyes and attention, but restarted nuclear projects using commercial-ready reactors will be up first.

"Time to power" underscores nuclear deals

Energy access is the main barrier to building out AI.

Illustration of a deconstructed nuclear sign made out of arrow cursors. 

Mothballed nuclear projects are suddenly hot commodities as investors race to power AI data centers. Why it matters: Energy access is the main barrier to building out AI, and these deals can jump the massive queue for new energy projects and gear.

"Time to power" underscores nuclear deals

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