Data centers are proliferating across the Asia-Pacific region, driving up electricity demand and straining power infrastructure. Major technology companies and governments are seeking reliable, low-carbon power solutions to sustain this digital growth. In this context, small modular reactors (SMRs) compact nuclear reactors typically under 300 MW – are emerging as a promising option for clean, 24/7 power. SMRs offer a stable electricity supply with capacity factors around 90%, far higher than intermittent renewables. This article examines how SMRs are being deployed and proposed to support data center advancements in Asia-Pacific, key industry players, and outlook for innovative integration.
According to BIS Research, asia-Pacific small modular reactor market for data centers is expected to reach $33.61 million by 2033, at a CAGR of 35.97%.
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Illustration: Small Modular Reactor Type
1. SMR Developers: Several organizations across the Asia-Pacific region are leading the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) to meet growing energy demands from digital infrastructure.
• Key developers are finalizing advanced designs like the 170 MW i-SMR, targeting regulatory approvals within the next few years for both domestic deployment and export markets.
• Major state-owned enterprises are working on multiple SMR models such as the Linglong One, with the goal of commercializing them for utility-scale applications and high-energy-demand users like data centers.
• Companies like Deep Atomic (Switzerland) and Last Energy (USA) are introducing modular SMR solutions specifically designed for private clients such as cloud and hyperscale data centers.
• Established players including NuScale and X-energy are also expanding into the Asia-Pacific market, attracting investment from the region and preparing to supply SMR technology to emerging markets.
• This dynamic mix of state-backed enterprises, agile startups, and multinational corporations is rapidly broadening the range of SMR deployment options available to the growing digital infrastructure sector.
2. Data Center and Cloud Operators: The world’s largest data center operators are increasingly turning to nuclear energy, particularly small modular reactors (SMRs), to meet growing power demands and carbon reduction goals.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS) plans to develop up to twelve X-energy SMRs (~960 MW) in the U.S. to power its cloud infrastructure and is actively exploring additional SMR projects in Virginia, a major data center hub.
• Google has signed a landmark agreement with Kairos Power to source SMR-generated electricity for its global data center fleet—the first deal of its kind in the sector.
• Colocation leaders Equinix and Digital Realty are also on board, in 2024, Equinix signed supply agreements with an SMR developer for up to 500 MW of future nuclear capacity.
• Asia-Pacific cloud and telecom giants are not far behind, NTT Communications and SoftBank in Japan have conducted feasibility studies on using SMRs to back up their data centers.
• Naver and Kakao in South Korea, both expanding large-scale campuses, are well-positioned to leverage domestic SMR rollout initiatives.
• Across the board, these tech and telecom companies view nuclear energy especially SMRs as critical to powering AI and cloud infrastructure sustainably and reliably, aligning with long-term net-zero commitments.
3. Energy & Infrastructure Innovators:
• Engineering firms and energy startups are playing a pivotal role in bridging the gap between nuclear technology and data center infrastructure.
• LS Electric (South Korea) is collaborating with KHNP to develop turnkey SMR-powered server farms, leveraging its expertise in data center energy systems.
• In Singapore, firms like Schneider Electric are actively pushing for policy support to enable nuclear integration, emphasizing the importance of diverse, low-carbon energy mixes for densely populated digital hubs.
• On the startup front, Deep Fission explores innovative SMR deployment concepts, targeting compact, scalable solutions for digital infrastructure.
• In the U.S., data center developer Switch partnered with Oklo to deploy up to 12 GW of microreactors to power its facilities—an ambitious model that could inspire similar ventures in Asia.
• This convergence of the IT and energy sectors is creating a new wave of digital infrastructure innovators—designing integrated campuses, microgrids, and cooling systems around nuclear energy.
• The result is a growing industry movement where power providers, SMR developers, and data center engineers collaborate to build net-zero, resilient, always-on data centers.
With continued innovation and collaborative effort, the Asia-Pacific may soon demonstrate to the world how SMRs can keep the cloud computing revolution on a stable and sustainable power foundation. The pursuit of SMR-powered data centers exemplifies the region’s broader strategy: leveraging cutting-edge technologies to ensure that economic development in the digital age is underpinned by energy security and climate responsibility.
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