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E.ON reviews former German nuclear sites for data centres

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Following Germany's decision to exit atomic energy after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, E.ON is assessing decommissioned plant sites for conversion into data centres. CFO Nadia Jakobi highlighted that these industrial areas already feature valuable infrastructure, particularly large existing grid connections, and expressed optimism about their near-term availability. The company is leveraging its self-described world-class demolition expertise during the process. An initial assessment step is being conducted alongside U.S. chip designer Nvidia to test viability.

Key points

  • Inactive nuclear facilities are being targeted for redevelopment due to their robust lega…: Inactive nuclear facilities are being targeted for redevelopment due to their robust legacy power connection infrastructure.
  • E.ON expects its advanced nuclear demolition expertise will help make these industrial lo…: E.ON expects its advanced nuclear demolition expertise will help make these industrial locations available in the near future.
  • The energy network operator is collaborating with major technology firm Nvidia to evaluat…: The energy network operator is collaborating with major technology firm Nvidia to evaluate data centre conversion prospects.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

E.ON reviews former German nuclear sites for data centres

Nov 11 : Europe's largest energy grid operator E.ON is reviewing whether former nuclear plant sites in Germany could be converted into data centres, its finance chief said on Wednesday during a post-earnings presentation.

A six-decade nuclear programme in Germany came to an end in 2023, leaving dozens of inactive sites across the country, after Berlin pledged to quit nuclear power following the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan.

• "These former power plants can provide attractive industrial locations and depending on the site, we can use the existing infrastructure, particularly the large grid connection," CFO Nadia Jakobi said

• E.ON is taking a "first step" with US chip designer Nvidia to establish the project's viability, she added

• Jakobi said she was hopeful former sites would soon become available and that E.ON had become "world class" in nuclear demolition

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