Google backs 890 megawatts of nuclear upgrades, with first output expected in 2028

Google and Constellation announced a 20-year power agreement on Tuesday, backing 890 megawatts of additional nuclear generation. Constellation plans equipment upgrades at 11 reactor units across six sites in Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It expects the first added output in 2028.

Constellation says it will invest more than $4.3 billion. Upgrading turbines and other equipment can raise output at reactors already in service. Google says its support will help finance the work.

A separate 15-year supply agreement covers 2,700 megawatts from Constellation's existing fleet. That supply is already available to the grid. It is not another 2,700 megawatts of new generation.

Constellation's capacity and timetable are company claims. Reuters corroborates the contract announcement, not completed construction. The additional 890 megawatts are not operating today.

Long contracts can give an electricity producer the revenue to fund expensive upgrades. Google is helping pay for more output from existing plants instead of relying only on new reactors.

The companies also signed a five-year technology agreement. Constellation plans to use Google Cloud and Gemini Enterprise for operations, including equipment monitoring and planning. Constellation has not shown that these tools improve reactor performance.

The key tests are the 2028 delivery target, approved upgrades and measured added output. Existing supply contracts are separate from new generation.