Microsoft’s desire to reduce its carbon footprint and achieve climate neutrality led it to decide to power its data centers with nuclear energy. Another reason is that the increasing energy needs of artificial intelligence applications make the search for environmentally friendly energy sources even more important.

Although nuclear energy does not create greenhouse gas emissions, it raises concerns about safety, waste disposal and uranium supply. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has long supported nuclear technology in the fight against climate change.

The company’s strategy provides: use of small modular reactors (SRM)Offering cost-effective alternatives to traditional reactors. Although Gates is the head of the TerraPower company, which is engaged in the development of MMR, no agreement was made to supply reactors to Microsoft.

tipping point

A major milestone was the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s approval of the MMR project; this could potentially facilitate project implementation. However, MMR needs more highly enriched uranium fuel from Russia.

U.S. efforts to fix the domestic uranium supply chain face opposition from activists, and the issue of nuclear waste disposal remains unresolved.

Microsoft is diversifying its energy sources by making deals to buy credits for clean energy and fusion research. Fusion reactors offer the potential for clean energy with minimal radioactive waste, but the timing of their deployment remains unclear.