Data center growth spurs call for nuclear power plants in Indiana
Data center investments in Northwest Indiana are driving major electricity demand and prompting discussion of new nuclear power generation. Amazon, Microsoft and Google have announced large regional projects, while some communities have adopted moratoriums amid opposition to data center growth.
Data center development is becoming a major economic and infrastructure issue in Northwest Indiana. Amazon is investing more than $15 billion in its Hobart campus and Project Rise in Wheatfield, Microsoft is developing a data center campus in LaPorte, and Google has proposed an $832 million Project Maize in Michigan City. The projects are expected to create construction and permanent jobs while increasing demand for electricity and energy infrastructure.
At the Northwest Indiana Business Roundtable, Indiana Office of Energy Development policy chief Luke Wilson promoted nuclear power, including small modular reactors, as a dependable carbon-free source for meeting data center demand. Gov. Mike Braun has established the Nuclear Indiana Coalition and set a goal of deploying a small modular reactor in the state within eight years. Speakers also discussed opposition to data centers, with some Northwest Indiana communities adopting moratoriums, while developer advocate Marc Oestreich argued that blocking projects could cost jobs, investment and potential medical and scientific advances.