In an effort to diversify its power portfolio, global data centre (DCs) operator Equinix enters nuclear deal through a preorder agreement for the purchase of 20 Kaleidos microreactors from Radiant and confirmed its intention to sign a power purchase agreement with Dutch nuclear energy developer ULC-Energy.Â
“Equinix is taking a diversified portfolio approach to the global energy challenge by tapping into innovative power technologies and working directly with utilities to strengthen the grid,” the California-headquartered company stated. “Looking ahead, the company is supporting the development of advanced nuclear technologies that can deliver reliable, clean power in the future.
“Next-generation nuclear technologies can offer a pathway to faster nuclear deployments due to their simplified design and robust safety features. Equinix sees safe, efficient and reliable nuclear energy as a promising solution to help power both data centres and the broader grid.”
As part of its latest strategy, Equinix confirmed the preorder of twenty 1 MWe Kaleidos high-temperature gas-cooled portable microreactors designed with a graphite core and TRISO fuel. Radiant was one of eight technology developers shortlisted earlier this year under the Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations programme launched in 2024. That initiative, backed by the Defense Innovation Unit, aims to accelerate the licensing, construction and operation of microreactor nuclear plants on military installations.Â
Radiant was among 11 advanced reactor projects selected by US Department of Energy, for a goal of seeing at least three reach criticality within one year. “Kaleidos offers a reliable, long-lasting energy source that can be transported anywhere it’s needed, installed in days, and deployed safely alongside existing equipment and integrated with on-site transmission infrastructure,” Equinix said.
In addition to its partnership with Radiant, Equinix enters nuclear deal with ULC-Energy through a Letter of Intent for a power purchase agreement of up to 250 MWe to supply its Netherlands-based data centres. ULC-Energy has already partnered with Rolls-Royce SMR to accelerate the deployment of nuclear power plants tailored for integration into residential and industrial networks.
ULC-Energy CEO Dirk Rabelink added: “Small modular reactors (SMRs) are ideally suited to power increasing demand for data centres. They can deliver clean baseload electricity safely, reliably, and affordably. ULC-Energy has developed a deployment model that leverages the SMR’s capability to address data centre energy requirements whilst also providing a realistic and affordable solution to support the increasing regional grid and energy challenges. The SMR-powered data centre will enable a clean digital solution and will be a strategic regional energy asset benefitting many local stakeholders.”