PreussenElektra, a German energy company, and NVIDIA are assessing whether former nuclear power plant sites in Germany could be redeveloped as AI data centers. The assessment will examine whether the sites have the power supply, grid connections, industrial infrastructure and available land needed to support large-scale AI operations.
According to a press release, PreussenElektra will provide information about the locations and their existing infrastructure, while NVIDIA will evaluate the technical and operational requirements of AI factories and potential site configurations.
Guido Knott, Chairman, PreussenElektra Management Board, said, “Our former power plant locations have valuable industrial infrastructure and offer prospects for new, future-oriented uses. Together with NVIDIA, we want to examine in depth whether and how these requirements can be used for AI factories. In this way, we combine the responsible reuse of our locations with new economic impulses for the regions.”
“AI factories rely on a reliable energy supply, suitable space and high-performance infrastructure. Former industrial sites offer ideal conditions for this and could play an important role for the next generation of data centers”, said Markus Hacker, Senior Regional Director, NVIDIA. “Together with PreussenElektra, we will examine the extent to which their locations meet the technical and operational requirements of AI factories and can thus contribute to the development of a powerful AI infrastructure in Germany.“
The companies have not announced any investment plans or selected sites for development. Their joint assessment will focus on the technical feasibility, existing infrastructure, economic viability and regulatory requirements of converting the former nuclear plant sites into AI data centers.
PreussenElektra is responsible for decommissioning and dismantling eight nuclear power plants in Germany. The company is assessing potential redevelopment options for the sites as dismantling activities progress.