Goldman Sachs Research highlights the rising energy demands of AI-driven data centers, projecting a 160% increase in power consumption by 2030 compared to 2023. Nuclear energy is expected to play a significant role in meeting these needs due to its low carbon emissions and reliability, although challenges such as limited new capacity and infrastructure constraints persist. Natural gas, renewables, and battery technologies will complement nuclear energy to provide round-the-clock power solutions.

The report emphasizes the growing investment in renewable energy, with 40% of new capacity expected to come from renewables, supported by advancements in storage technologies. However, the intermittency of renewables and the current slowdown in efficiency gains necessitate a combination of power sources, including natural gas, to address immediate needs.

Recent contracts for nuclear energy and increasing governmental support signal a shift towards expanding nuclear capacity. Meanwhile, companies are exploring innovative solutions like small modular reactors and hybrid energy systems to reduce emissions and improve energy reliability for data centers. These efforts aim to align data center growth with sustainable energy goals while managing the "Green Reliability Premium" associated with cleaner energy sources.