Insights from ASG, Oklo Inc., Switch, and Equinix
Why Nuclear Energy is Back in the Data Center Conversation
At the infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025, held October 15–16 at the Wynn Las Vegas, one of the most talked-about sessions was “Now and Going Nuclear.” The discussion explored how nuclear energy, long viewed as complex and controversial, is rapidly emerging as a viable solution for powering the data center industry’s next phase of growth.
Moderated by Daniel Golding, CTO of ASG, the panel featured Brian Gitt, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Oklo Inc.; Jason Hoffman, Chief Strategy Officer at Switch; and Philip Read, Senior Director of Product Management at Equinix. Together, they examined how technology, regulation, and market forces are aligning to make small modular reactors (SMRs) and nuclear-derived power a credible and necessary part of the digital infrastructure ecosystem.
A Generational Shift in Nuclear Perception
Daniel Golding opened the discussion by highlighting how dramatically attitudes toward nuclear energy have changed in recent years. “The political opposition has evaporated entirely in the past three to four years,” Golding observed. “What’s happened is a generational change. For younger generations who’ve grown up in a world shaped by climate change, nuclear risk seems modest compared to the risk of inaction.”
This generational shift, Golding noted, is paving the way for new conversations around nuclear deployment, not just as an energy option, but as an environmental imperative. The narrative has moved from “if” to “when,” setting the stage for nuclear integration into the world’s largest digital infrastructure operations.
Policy Momentum and Market Acceleration
Brian Gitt of Oklo described how a wave of regulatory and policy reforms has transformed the U.S. nuclear landscape in just the last year. “Since May, the federal government has released a series of executive orders removing barriers, unlocking fuel supply, and streamlining licensing,” Gitt said. “The NRC is now required to approve reactor applications within 18 months, and the DOE is opening federal lands for AI factories and power infrastructure.”
Gitt also announced that Oklo is leading construction on a $1.68 billion fuel recycling facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the first of its kind in the U.S., designed to convert spent fuel into usable energy. “We’re taking what used to be seen as waste and turning it into 24/7 baseload power,” he explained. “We’ve moved from vision to execution, and the timeline from now to nuclear is about three years.”
Designing for a Nuclear-Powered Future
Jason Hoffman of Switch spoke to how data center design must evolve to integrate nuclear energy at the gigawatt scale. “When we talk about AI factories, we’re talking about facilities that are five times larger than what we’ve traditionally built,” Hoffman said. “These are sites measured in hundreds of acres, with power demand comparable to naval-scale energy systems. Nuclear makes that scale possible.”
He added that Switch and other major operators are actively exploring how to integrate self-generated nuclear power into future campuses. “It’s not just about access to power,” Hoffman said. “It’s about reliability, control, and sustainability. Nuclear enables all three.”
Philip Read of Equinix echoed this point from a customer perspective, emphasizing that clients want certainty. “Our customers want confidence in their power supply, growth strategy, and sustainability goals,” Read said. “They’re asking, ‘Do we need a different strategy for locations and energy sources?’ Nuclear provides that line of sight.”
Security, Scale, and Sustainability
The conversation also touched on key challenges. When asked what keeps him up at night, Hoffman was quick to answer: “Security posture.” Hoffman noted that as nuclear and data centers intersect, ensuring robust cybersecurity and operational safety will be critical.
Gitt added that misconceptions about nuclear waste remain one of the industry’s biggest hurdles. “We have enough stored fuel in the U.S. to power the country for generations,” Gitt said. “It’s not dangerous, it’s energy waiting to be unlocked. We’re sitting on the equivalent of five Saudi Arabias of energy, and we’re burying it instead of using it. That needs to change.”
Golding agreed, noting that for decades, the U.S. has stored waste in temporary pools, a model that is no longer scalable. The consensus: recycling and reusing fuel through modern SMRs is not only possible but essential.
Economic and Community Impact
Beyond technical feasibility, the panel highlighted the broader economic upside of nuclear development. Gitt shared that Oklo’s projects are already generating significant local economic benefits. “We just broke ground in Iowa, and the job creation has been incredible,” Gitt said. “This isn’t just energy innovation, it’s economic revitalization. Communities are competing to host these facilities because they bring skilled jobs, tax revenue, and long-term prosperity.”
Hoffman and Read both agreed that pairing nuclear generation with data center campuses could redefine industrial development in the U.S. “These are long-term, high-value assets,” Hoffman said. “They’re not speculative, they’re the backbone of America’s digital and economic future.”
From Renewable to Reliable: The Role of Baseload Power
Golding raised the question of whether hyperscalers are ready to embrace nuclear as part of their sustainability strategies. Gitt’s answer was unequivocal: “Every major hyperscaler now includes nuclear in their long-term power roadmap. It’s part of the equation for net-zero.”
Gitt noted that nuclear has the smallest materials footprint of any energy source, smaller even than wind or solar; making it one of the most resource-efficient options available. “If we want to keep the lights on and cut emissions, there’s really no alternative,” Gitt said. “The data center industry has realized that nuclear isn’t optional, it’s inevitable.”
From Vision to Reality
The panel made clear that the intersection of nuclear energy and data center infrastructure is no longer theoretical. Regulatory pathways are opening, commercial projects are underway, and the industry’s largest power consumers are preparing to integrate nuclear into their long-term sustainability and capacity strategies.
As Golding concluded, “This isn’t a thought experiment anymore. It’s happening. By the end of the decade, nuclear will be powering data centers, and helping our industry lead the global energy transition.”
Infra/STRUCTURE 2026: Save the Date
Want to tune in live, receive all presentations, gain access to C-level executives, investors and industry leading research? Then save the date for infra/STRUCTURE 2026 set for October 7-8, 2026 at The Wynn Las Vegas. Pre-Registration for the 2026 event is now open, and you can visit www.infrastructuresummit.io to learn more.
