Nov 28, 2025
Equinix secures power from the inaugural Stellaria reactor.
French molten salt reactor developer Stellaria has finalized a pre-order deal with data center developer and operator Equinix. This agreement ensures that Equinix has the first reservation for power capacity from the Stellarium, the reactor Stellaria plans to launch in 2035.
The partnership between Stellaria and Equinix is part of various initiatives by Equinix aimed at alternative energy. In August, the company announced collaborations with five energy providers, including Stellaria in France, to enhance its AI-ready data centers.
Stellaria, a spin-off of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), proposed the Stellarium reactor, which is compact (measuring 4 cubic meters) and capable of utilizing a diverse set of nuclear fuels, including uranium, plutonium, MOX, minor actinides, and even thorium. Stellaria claims it is "the world's first reactor to operate with a liquid fuel that can destroy more waste than it generates."
Régis Castagne, Managing Director of Equinix France, stated, "We chose Stellaria because it is among the few companies globally capable of making our high-performance AI data centers energy resilient, while ensuring high security and flexibility."
"Their Stellariums generate 250 MWe of clean energy and uniquely consume their own waste, which eliminates the need for on-site storage and addresses a significant operational challenge. This innovation enables Equinix to function with secure, carbon-free energy around the clock, marking a significant advancement in creating the next generation of sustainable digital infrastructure."
Equinix, headquartered in California, operates over 270 data centers in 77 major metropolitan areas worldwide. Their data centers in Europe currently utilize 100% renewable energy, and the company is significantly investing in renewable energy purchase agreements in France. Equinix is expanding its energy portfolio to include reliable and sustainable nuclear electricity to power its advanced AI data centers with Stellaria.
Stellaria CEO Nicolas Breyton remarked, "The signing of this first contract is a significant milestone for Stellaria. It sends a strong message to the industry and demonstrates that our roadmap is viable, with Stellarium deployment set for 2035. The digital sector is committed to sustainability to minimize environmental impact: this contract establishes the foundation for energy-autonomous data centers, and we take pride in supporting a key player like Equinix in this endeavor."
Molten salt reactors (MSRs) utilize molten fluoride salts as primary coolant at low pressure and can operate with epithermal or fast neutron spectra, using various fuels. Current interest in reviving the MSR concept often involves thorium for breeding fissile uranium-233, which requires an initial source of fissile material such as plutonium-239. There are various MSR designs and numerous challenges associated with the commercialization of many, particularly those involving thorium.
The partnership between Stellaria and Equinix is part of various initiatives by Equinix aimed at alternative energy. In August, the company announced collaborations with five energy providers, including Stellaria in France, to enhance its AI-ready data centers.
Stellaria, a spin-off of the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), proposed the Stellarium reactor, which is compact (measuring 4 cubic meters) and capable of utilizing a diverse set of nuclear fuels, including uranium, plutonium, MOX, minor actinides, and even thorium. Stellaria claims it is "the world's first reactor to operate with a liquid fuel that can destroy more waste than it generates."
Régis Castagne, Managing Director of Equinix France, stated, "We chose Stellaria because it is among the few companies globally capable of making our high-performance AI data centers energy resilient, while ensuring high security and flexibility."
"Their Stellariums generate 250 MWe of clean energy and uniquely consume their own waste, which eliminates the need for on-site storage and addresses a significant operational challenge. This innovation enables Equinix to function with secure, carbon-free energy around the clock, marking a significant advancement in creating the next generation of sustainable digital infrastructure."
Equinix, headquartered in California, operates over 270 data centers in 77 major metropolitan areas worldwide. Their data centers in Europe currently utilize 100% renewable energy, and the company is significantly investing in renewable energy purchase agreements in France. Equinix is expanding its energy portfolio to include reliable and sustainable nuclear electricity to power its advanced AI data centers with Stellaria.
Stellaria CEO Nicolas Breyton remarked, "The signing of this first contract is a significant milestone for Stellaria. It sends a strong message to the industry and demonstrates that our roadmap is viable, with Stellarium deployment set for 2035. The digital sector is committed to sustainability to minimize environmental impact: this contract establishes the foundation for energy-autonomous data centers, and we take pride in supporting a key player like Equinix in this endeavor."
Molten salt reactors (MSRs) utilize molten fluoride salts as primary coolant at low pressure and can operate with epithermal or fast neutron spectra, using various fuels. Current interest in reviving the MSR concept often involves thorium for breeding fissile uranium-233, which requires an initial source of fissile material such as plutonium-239. There are various MSR designs and numerous challenges associated with the commercialization of many, particularly those involving thorium.