• Equinix signs Letter of Intent for up to 250 MWe of next-generation nuclear power from ULC-Energy’s Rolls-Royce SMR deployment.
• Agreement forms part of a global strategy to secure reliable clean energy for AI-driven data center growth amid tightening grid pressures.
• Collaboration joins Equinix’s broader suite of advanced nuclear and fuel-cell partnerships across the United States and Europe.
Amsterdam Targets Clean Power Pathways for Growing AI Demand
Facing a steep rise in electricity demand driven by AI workloads and new industrial activity, Equinix has entered a collaboration with ULC-Energy to explore deploying up to 250 MWe of small modular reactor (SMR) capacity for its Dutch data centers. The companies signed a Letter of Intent for a long-term power purchase agreement, positioning nuclear energy as a strategic anchor for the Netherlands’ digital and grid-stability future.
ULC-Energy, an Amsterdam-based nuclear project developer, selected Rolls-Royce SMR technology in 2022 and is pursuing deployment of its 470 MWe light-water SMR design. The UK recently chose Rolls-Royce SMR as the preferred bidder to deliver the country’s first SMRs through Great British Energy – Nuclear.
Equinix framed the collaboration as a direct response to global grid strain. The International Energy Agency expects electricity consumption to grow 4% annually through 2027 — the fastest pace in recent years — driven by electrification, industrial rebound, and rapid AI adoption. Pressure is particularly acute in Europe’s dense data center markets, where permitting and grid congestion are slowing expansion.
“Our partnership with ULC-Energy marks an important milestone in Equinix’s mission to support sustainable growth in the Netherlands,” said Michiel Eielts, Managing Director for Equinix in the Netherlands. “By securing Rolls-Royce SMR capacity, we’re not only ensuring reliable and clean energy for our data centers but also contributing to a resilient energy future that benefits local communities, supports economic development, and helps reduce the environmental impact of digital infrastructure.”
Nuclear as a Platform for Digital and Grid Resilience
ULC-Energy said SMRs are well suited to the Netherlands’ surging data and industry needs. “SMRs are ideally suited to power increasing demand for data centers,” said Dirk Rabelink, CEO of ULC-Energy. “They can deliver clean baseload electricity safely, reliably and affordably.” He added that a data center linked to an SMR “will enable a clean digital solution and will be a strategic regional energy asset benefitting many local stakeholders.”
Equinix’s interest in SMRs aligns with Dutch and wider EU debates about accelerating nuclear deployment to manage intermittency, bolster energy security, and support industrial competitiveness. The Netherlands is weighing multiple reactor options as part of its energy transition roadmap.
A Diversified Power Strategy Across Markets
Beyond nuclear, Equinix continues to invest heavily in strengthening grid reliability. The company is funding transmission upgrades and substation development with utility partners, and expanding its use of onsite natural gas systems and fuel cells for resilience.
Advanced fuel cells remain a core component of its near-term energy plan. Through its agreement with Bloom Energy, Equinix is scaling solid-oxide fuel cell deployments to more than 100 MW across 19 data centers in six U.S. states. According to the company, these systems avoid 285,000 MTCO2e and reduce embedded water use by 382 billion gallons.
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In parallel, Equinix is building a global nuclear portfolio that includes agreements with multiple next-generation reactor developers:
• Oklo: In 2024, Equinix became the first data center operator to sign an agreement with an SMR provider, committing to procure 500 MW from Oklo’s fast-reactor Aurora powerhouses, which can run on recycled nuclear waste.
• Radiant: The company pre-ordered 20 Kaleidos microreactors, designed to be transportable, rapidly deployable, and integrated with existing infrastructure.
• Stellaria: Equinix signed a pre-order agreement for 500 MWe of capacity from Stellaria’s molten-salt Breed & Burn reactor, which creates 100% of its fissile fuel inside the reactor and recycles long-lived waste.
Equinix’s infrastructure strategy also includes reducing energy intensity at the facility level. Since 2022, new sites have adopted ASHRAE A1 Allowable standards to widen temperature ranges and reduce cooling loads. The company is extending support for liquid cooling — including direct-to-chip — to more than 100 data centers across 45 metros.
Equinix says it is on track to reach 100% clean and renewable energy across its global footprint by 2030. In 2024, the company reported 96% renewable coverage worldwide and 250 sites operating fully on renewable electricity.
Strategic Implications for Executives and Investors
Equinix’s move demonstrates how large digital infrastructure operators are reshaping procurement models to hedge against grid bottlenecks, secure stable long-duration clean power, and meet investor expectations for credible decarbonisation. For policymakers, the announcement adds weight to the argument that next-generation nuclear can serve both industrial clusters and national grids confronting AI-driven load growth.
As AI pushes data center energy requirements higher and faster than most grid planning scenarios anticipated, Equinix’s partnerships offer a preview of how global operators may structure long-term clean-power strategies — combining utility-scale procurement, onsite generation, and advanced nuclear options.
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