With the exponential increase in data usage and the need for real-time processing, data centers have become central infrastructures for our digital economy. These facilities, which manage the flow of information from platforms such as cloud services, social media, and artificial intelligence, require ever-increasing amounts of energy. According to recent estimates, the IT sector accounts for approximately 3% of global energy consumption, with data centers contributing significantly to this demand. Their energy consumption is expected to grow by 21% by 2030, raising concerns about the future of energy sustainability.

A single large-scale data center can consume energy equivalent to a small city's. For example, the largest data center in the United States, located in Nevada, requires about 500 MW of electric power to keep its systems operational, an amount of energy sufficient to power hundreds of thousands of homes. The high energy demand is pushing technology companies to explore more sustainable and stable solutions, particularly to address the challenges of intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

The tech sector is one of the most sensitive to these dynamics: the operational continuity of data centers is essential to ensure service quality. Power outages or supply instability can have significant economic impacts. This explains why tech giants like Microsoft are looking to nuclear power as a potential solution, aiming to reduce their operations' environmental footprint without compromising the continuity of energy supply.

Nuclear energy, which has slowed down in recent decades due to safety and environmental concerns, is experiencing a revival thanks to new technologies that improve its efficiency and safety. New-generation plants, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), promise to reduce risks and offer a stable and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

SMRs, in particular, represent a breakthrough compared to traditional nuclear reactors. These more compact, modular reactors are more accessible to build than conventional nuclear power plants and can be integrated into existing energy grids or used in smaller-scale projects. This makes them particularly suitable for powering infrastructures like data centers, which require continuous, low-carbon energy. Modular reactors can also be located near consumption centers, reducing energy losses associated with long-distance electricity transmission.

Data centers need stable energy supplies, which is crucial for data centers. Interruptions or instability in the grid can cause downtime, leading to significant financial losses for the companies that rely on them. Nuclear reactors, with an operational capacity of around 90%, can provide a continuous supply of carbon-free energy, representing an ideal solution for this sector.

Through its recent agreement to help restart the Three Mile Island plant, Microsoft highlighted the importance of finding low-impact energy sources to support its operations. The company is already committed to becoming carbon-negative by 2030 and supporting the transition to a more sustainable energy mix, which could include nuclear power as part of its energy strategy.

The Italian Case and Nuclear Energy

The Italian case is emblematic of understanding the recent history of nuclear energy in Europe. After two referendums in 1987 and 2011, Italy abandoned atomic energy as a power source. However, before this decision, the country had four active nuclear power plants: Trino, Caorso, Latina, and Garigliano, which together provided a significant portion of the nation's energy needs.

• Latina: Operated from 1963 to 1987, this plant was one of Italy's first to be built in Italy. It generated about 210 MW and used gas-cooled reactor technology.
• Caorso: Located in Emilia-Romagna, this plant was the most modern and powerful in the country, with a capacity of 860 MW. It was permanently closed in 1987.
• Trino: Located in Piedmont, this plant was one of the country's first, with a capacity of 270 MW. It was also closed in 1987.
• Garigliano: This plant, which was active from 1964 to 1978, this plant generated about 160 MW and used a boiling water reactor.

Today, all of these plants are inactive and in the process of being dismantled. Despite the current ban on building new nuclear plants, recent years have seen renewed debate in Italy about the possibility of resuming atomic energy use, driven by technological advances and the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Some experts see SMRs as a solution that could gain greater public acceptance due to their improved safety and modularity.

The topic of energy demand, particularly the growing demand from data centers, was a key focus at the recent ANDAF conference. The crucial role of new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), in managing and optimizing energy resources was discussed. During Roberto Prioreschi's presentation, Managing Partner at Bain & Company, it was noted that AI is already the "silent engine" behind much of our daily actions and will continue to be fundamental for the energy transition and decarbonization efforts.

Artificial intelligence, combined with emerging technologies like Generative AI (GenAI), radically transforms how companies manage their processes, including energy efficiency in data centers. Prioreschi emphasized that integrating traditional AI and GenAI can enable significant operational improvements, reducing energy waste and optimizing resource distribution. This is particularly relevant for energy-intensive infrastructures like data centers, which require sophisticated solutions to manage energy demand and ensure operational continuity.

According to data presented at the conference, the global AI market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30%, from €0.8 billion in 2023 to about €2.5 billion in 2027, in Italy alone. However, despite the projected growth, AI adoption in Italian businesses remains below the European average, with considerable room for improvement, especially among SMEs.

In parallel with the spread of AI, exponential growth in data center capacity is expected across Europe. By 2030, the energy capacity required by data centers in Italy is projected to grow to 1.3 GW, highlighting the substantial increase in domestic demand for digital services. Milan, in particular, could emerge as one of the leading European hubs for data centers due to its geographical position and competitive infrastructure costs compared to established markets such as London, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam.

This growth places Italy in a favorable position to become the "Next Digital Infra Hub" at the European level, but it requires significant investments in new infrastructures and energy solutions. The sustainability of data centers will be one of the top priorities, with the need to rely on clean energy sources, such as solar and nuclear power, to meet growing demand without exacerbating environmental impact.

The increase in energy demand from data centers and the parallel development of artificial intelligence present Italy with a unique opportunity to assume a leadership role in Europe. However, to fully seize this potential, it will be essential (i) to invest in new energy infrastructures, (ii) to promote adopting sustainable solutions such as nuclear power, and (iii) to manage energy resources efficiently using AI.