Oklo, a California-based nuclear technology company, has recently announced a non-binding master power agreement with Switch, a leading provider of AI, cloud, and enterprise data center infrastructure. The agreement aims to deploy 12 gigawatts of advanced nuclear power through 2044, making it one of the largest corporate clean energy agreements to date. This partnership aligns with both companies’ focus on sustainable energy and decarbonization.
Under the agreement, Oklo will develop and operate Aurora powerhouses, supplying clean energy to Switch’s data centers across the United States. This will help Switch meet the growing energy demands in AI and other technology sectors. Rob Roy, founder and CEO of Switch, stated that this agreement will ensure their leadership in data center sustainability while delivering energy abundance for their clients.
For Oklo, this collaboration is crucial in scaling its technology. Jacob DeWitte, co-founder and CEO of Oklo, believes that this partnership reflects a shared vision for energy abundance and the role of nuclear power in supporting AI.
The demand for energy in data centers is on the rise, and small modular reactors like Oklo’s Aurora powerhouses are a critical step towards clean and sustainable data centers powered by safe nuclear energy. In April this year, Oklo also signed a pre-agreement with Equinix, the world’s largest data center colocation provider, to purchase nuclear energy for a $25 million prepayment.
According to Chris Sharp, CTO at Digital Realty, a US data center giant, a normal data center needs 32 megawatts of power, while an AI data center requires 80 megawatts. This highlights the growing energy needs in the technology sector and the importance of finding clean and sustainable solutions.
Switch has been powering its data centers with 100% renewable energy since 2016. This agreement further strengthens their commitment to integrating clean energy solutions into their operations. However, it also raises questions about the cost-efficiency of running a data center fully equipped with renewable energy.
Oklo’s Aurora powerhouses aim to provide a flexible pathway to clean, reliable, and affordable energy. This agreement also allows Oklo to refine its financial and infrastructure models, setting a precedent for future projects. Both Oklo and Switch believe that this collaboration will accelerate the adoption of clean energy across industries and showcase the scalability of advanced nuclear power to meet global energy demands.
