As National Cabinet discusses data centre standards
National Cabinet met on 26 August 2026 to discuss national standards for data centres, as Nuclear for Australia urged governments to keep a technology-neutral approach to future power supply.
Nuclear for Australia argued that rising electricity demand from AI and data centres should be met without pushing up household power bills. Founder Will Shackel said nuclear energy already plays a role in powering data centre operations overseas.
“Australia’s energy demands are only growing, and if we want to be an AI and data centre powerhouse, first we need the power. Australians’ energy bills can’t be the sacrificial lamb here,” Mr Shackel said.
He argued Australia needs more reliable power. He also said that extra supply should avoid fossil fuels such as gas and diesel.
Nuclear for Australia pointed to reported interest from Anthropic in delivering up to five gigawatts in New South Wales alone. Mr Shackel argued demand on that scale makes nuclear a low-emissions option to increase supply.
Six reactor companies reached criticality
Since June 2026, six advanced reactor companies have achieved criticality, which is a key step toward commercialising advanced nuclear technology, according to Nuclear for Australia.
Those companies were Australian-founded Deployable, Antares, Valar, Aalo, Oklo and Westinghouse.
Texas-based Aalo has designed a microreactor for data centres. Nuclear for Australia said the system uses standardised modules built in a facility and assembled onsite.
The group argued that approach addresses criticism that nuclear is too slow or too expensive. It said Aalo built its first reactor in eight months.
On 25 August 2026, Westinghouse completed zero-power criticality testing for its eVinci microreactor. Nuclear for Australia said the test validated the technology’s models and core design assumptions.
Mr Shackel linked those developments to a broader push by large technology companies to secure nuclear-backed electricity for growing computing demand.
Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta and Nvidia have all signed agreements to use nuclear energy sources or bring them online for their operations, according to Nuclear for Australia.
“Minister Bowen said that cost and time, not safety, are the issue with nuclear. If that’s the case, then there’s no harm in lifting the outdated bans on nuclear, because if the economics don’t stack up, these companies won’t invest in it,” Mr Shackel said.
He added that if governments want investors to supply their own power, those investors should be free to assess all options, including advanced nuclear.
Nuclear for Australia did not provide a timetable for an Australian reactor project. It also did not give a cost estimate, a proposed site or an agreement with a local data centre operator.
