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The Trump administration on Tuesday unveiled a monumental partnership with Westinghouse Electric Co., pledging to build at least $80 billion worth of nuclear reactors across the United States to energize the nation’s growing network of data centers and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Commerce signed a strategic partnership agreement with Westinghouse co-owners Brookfield Asset Management and Cameco, the Canadian uranium fuel producer. The deal marks one of the largest nuclear energy initiatives in decades — a move aimed at reinforcing national security while meeting the soaring power demands of an AI-driven economy.

Building a Nuclear Backbone for the Digital Age

President Donald Trump’s executive orders in May set the stage for this sweeping initiative, calling for the construction of 10 new large-scale nuclear reactors by 2030. These reactors, based on Westinghouse’s AP1000 technology, are designed to provide clean, constant power to the ever-expanding AI and cloud infrastructure industries.

“Our administration is focused on ensuring the rapid development, deployment and use of advanced nuclear technologies,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in a statement Tuesday. “This historic partnership supports our national security objectives and enhances our critical infrastructure.”

The collaboration signals a major pivot toward nuclear energy as the cornerstone of America’s digital transformation — one where data centers are becoming as vital as oil refineries once were.

Government Stakes and Corporate Commitments

As part of the agreement, Cameco announced that the federal government will hold a participation interest, entitling it to 20% of any cash distributions exceeding $17.5 billion made by Westinghouse after the interest is formalized.

This arrangement depends on the government’s final investment decision and completion of new reactor construction totaling at least $80 billion.

Furthermore, Cameco said that once the government’s stake vests, it will have the right to compel Westinghouse to go public before 2029 — but only if an initial public offering could value the nuclear giant at more than $30 billion.

A Phoenix Rising From Bankruptcy

Westinghouse’s return to the spotlight is nothing short of a corporate resurrection. The company — once the pride of American nuclear innovation — was rescued from bankruptcy in 2018 by Brookfield Asset Management, following a turbulent attempt to complete the Vogtle nuclear plant in Georgia.

Cameco later joined as co-owner in 2023, adding its uranium expertise to the mix. Together, they have refocused Westinghouse’s mission on small modular and advanced reactor technologies that promise quicker builds and higher safety standards.

“This partnership with the U.S. government will help unlock the potential that Westinghouse and nuclear energy can play to accelerate the growth of artificial intelligence in the United States,” said Brookfield President Connor Teskey, hailing the collaboration as a catalyst for innovation and energy independence.