NextEra Energy and Google have partnered to bolster clean energy capacity in the United States and meet the growing power demands of artificial intelligence (AI). Central to the partnership is the planned restart of the Duane Arnold Energy Centre, Iowa’s only nuclear facility, located in Palo near Cedar Rapids.
Under the deal, Google committed to purchasing electricity from the 615MW plant through a 25-year agreement, securing a 24/7 carbon-free power source to support its expanding Cloud and AI operations in Iowa. The initiative is expected to boost grid reliability, generate thousands of jobs, and deliver substantial economic investment to the Midwest.
NextEra Energy also confirmed plans to acquire the combined 30% stake in Duane Arnold held by Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) and Corn Belt Power Cooperative, which will bring its ownership to 100%. Once restarted, CIPCO will purchase the remaining share of the plant’s output on the same terms as Google. The facility, which was shut down in 2020, is expected to resume operations by the first quarter of 2029, pending regulatory approvals.
Powering the AI era
The agreement underpins a broader strategic collaboration to ensure AI-driven expansion is powered responsibly. The energy purchased by Google will fund the plant’s restart and cover production costs, while regional customers will not bear any associated expenses. NextEra Energy stated that its investments in nuclear and advanced generation technologies will support the responsible growth of AI and its applications across sectors including science, education, and national security.
The two companies also signed an additional agreement to explore developing new nuclear generation projects in the United States to address increasing electricity demand.
John Ketchum, Chairman and CEO of NextEra Energy, said: “Restarting Duane Arnold marks an important milestone for NextEra Energy. Our partnership with Google not only brings nuclear energy back to Iowa – it also accelerates the development of next-generation nuclear technology. Thanks to the leadership of the Trump Administration, Google and NextEra Energy are answering the call of America’s golden age of power demand, creating thousands of jobs, strengthening Iowa’s economy, delivering long-term value to our shareholders and helping power America’s future through innovation and technology.”
Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, commented: “Building on two decades of work in Iowa, including our recent $7 billion investment in the state this May, Google is proud to partner with NextEra Energy to reopen the Duane Arnold Energy Centre – a project that will deliver nuclear energy and hundreds of new job opportunities in the Hawkeye State by the beginning of 2029. This partnership serves as a model for the investments needed across the country to build energy capacity and deliver reliable, clean power, while protecting affordability and creating jobs that will drive the AI-driven economy.”
NextEra Energy currently operates nearly 3GW of energy projects with Google across the country, reinforcing its long-term collaboration with the technology company.
Iowa’s nuclear revival
An independent economic study indicated that the Duane Arnold recommissioning will deliver wide-ranging benefits for Iowa’s economy.
Across the state:
- More than 1,600 direct, indirect, and induced jobs during construction
- Over $340 million in annual economic output once operational
In Linn County:
- More than 800 direct, indirect, and induced jobs during construction, and about 400 full-time operational roles
- Local earnings of over $89 million during construction and $127 million annually once the plant is operating
- Approximately $3 million per year in tax revenue to support schools, infrastructure, and emergency services
Andrew St. John, Executive Vice President and CEO of CIPCO, said: “CIPCO has a proud and longstanding history with Duane Arnold Energy Centre, and we’re thrilled that nuclear energy will once again contribute to our state’s energy future. As a cooperative generation and transmission provider, CIPCO remains committed to our all-of-the-above energy strategy. The restart of Duane Arnold will strengthen our generation portfolio with clean, baseload generation – furthering our ability to deliver safe, reliable and cost-effective power to our cooperative member-owners across Iowa.”
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds welcomed the project, stating: “Iowa isn’t just a place to build; it’s a place to lead. Today’s exciting announcement from NextEra Energy and Google further cements Iowa’s leadership in powering America’s AI infrastructure. Meeting the demands of emerging technologies requires reliable, clean energy and the Duane Arnold nuclear facility is ideally positioned to deliver it. By advancing nuclear energy and AI innovation together, Iowa is shaping a sustainable digital future that drives economic growth, strengthens communities, and keeps America competitive.”
The restart plan follows a detailed engineering review, community engagement, and collaboration with federal, state, and local authorities. NextEra Energy confirmed that it is working closely with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure a safe and compliant return to service.
