Sam Altman’s nuclear energy startup signs one of the largest nuclear power deals to date

Oklo and Switch have announced one of the largest corporate clean power agreements in history: a non-binding 12-gigawatt Master Power Agreement (MPA) designed to power Switch’s extensive network of AI, cloud, and enterprise data centers across the United States. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, supported Oklo in its early stages and now serves as the company’s chairman.

This deal, which extends through 2044, positions Oklo to deploy its Aurora nuclear powerhouses to meet the growing energy demands of an increasingly data-driven world. Based in California, Oklo is developing nuclear power plants that utilize nuclear waste as fuel and is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. National Laboratories on fuel recycling technologies.

Under the agreement, Oklo will develop, construct, and operate its Aurora nuclear powerhouses, providing reliable, carbon-free electricity to Switch’s data centers, as revealed in a press release.

The rising energy demands driven by artificial intelligence and cloud computing have sparked renewed interest in nuclear energy, as demonstrated by recent agreements among tech giants.

The MPA represents a forward-thinking approach to sustainable infrastructure, with Oklo offering a flexible and scalable energy solution that allows Switch to maintain its commitment to 100% renewable energy. Since 2016, Switch has powered all its data centers with green energy, and this new agreement further strengthens that vision by integrating advanced nuclear technology as a core component of their energy mix.