Google has agreed to support a nuclear capacity expansion at Georgia Power's Vogtle and Hatch plants, adding approximately 96 megawatts of generation capacity, according to an announcement released September 21. The project is projected to generate roughly $900 million in lifetime customer benefits, pending approval from Georgia's Public Service Commission.
The deal marks a shift in how large technology companies secure power for data center operations. Rather than relying solely on power purchase agreements with existing generation or retail suppliers, hyperscalers are increasingly co-investing in capacity expansion to ensure sufficient reliable baseload power for artificial intelligence infrastructure.
Georgia Power operates two nuclear stations in the state. Vogtle, near Waynesboro, houses two operational units commissioned in 1987 and 1989, with two newer reactors under construction. Hatch, near Baxley, has two units in operation since 1974 and 1979. Uprates involve modifications and operational improvements that increase output from existing reactors without adding new units.
Google has signed multiple power purchase agreements with nuclear operators in recent years and has stated publicly that nuclear energy is essential to meeting its artificial intelligence energy demands while maintaining its net-zero emissions target.
The tech sector has intensified its engagement with nuclear capacity as major cloud providers and semiconductor manufacturers pursue decarbonized power sources at the scale required for AI compute. Data centers consume roughly 1 to 3 percent of global electricity annually and that share is expected to grow. Companies including Microsoft and Amazon have also pursued nuclear-backed power arrangements.
The PSC must approve the uprate before work begins. Georgia Power has not disclosed a timeline for the project or the total capital investment required.
Google has agreed to co-fund generation expansion rather than purchase output from completed projects. If the uprate clears state regulatory review, it would add 96 MW to a grid facing sustained demand growth from data centers across the Southeast.
