In this episode of Bracewell’s Data Center Counsel podcast, Scott Segal and Andrew Shaw explore whether nuclear energy can meet the rapidly growing electricity demands of AI-driven data centers. As hyperscale facilities transform electricity demand into a system-level challenge, the discussion examines why nuclear — both large light water reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs) — is uniquely positioned to provide firm, carbon-free baseload power.

The conversation covers a range of topics, including:

• the operational alignment between
• nuclear generation and high-load data centers emerging partnerships between tech companies and nuclear operators     
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing reforms
• fuel supply constraints
• safety considerations