Silicon Valley, California: Google has made a groundbreaking agreement to utilize electricity from small nuclear reactors (SMR’s) to power its artificial intelligence (AI) operations.
As part of the deal with the startup Kairos Power, the California tech giant will support the development of seven small reactors, each capable of producing 500 megawatts of electricity.
The first reactor is scheduled to come online by 2030, with others to follow in the coming years.
Michael Terrell, the Senior Director of Energy and Climate at Google, said in a blog post that, “The grid needs new electricity sources to support AI technologies that are powering major scientific advances, improving services for businesses and customers, and driving national competitiveness and economic growth.”
Terrell added that, “This agreement helps accelerate a new technology to meet energy needs cleanly and reliably, and unlock the full potential of AI for everyone.”
Major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are fuelling a resurgence in nuclear energy as they search for reliable electricity sources to power their data centres, which are crucial for the growing demand in AI.
Last month, Microsoft secured a deal with Constellation Energy to reactivate a decommissioned nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania, ensuring power for the next 20 years.
Earlier this year, Amazon partnered with Houston-based Talen Energy to purchase a 1,200-acre data centre campus in Pennsylvania, which draws energy from a nearby nuclear plant.
Currently, data centres account for about 3% of global electricity consumption, a figure expected to rise significantly as AI technologies advance.
The reactors, known as small modular reactors (SMRs), are expected to offer a more efficient and low-carbon energy solution and are seen by proponents as a more cost-effective and less time-consuming alternative to large, commercial-scale nuclear reactors.
Despite growing interest, the technology behind small nuclear reactors remains in its early stages, with only three operational worldwide—in Russia, China, and India.
Kairos Power CEO Mike Laufer said that the partnership will allow the company to “quickly advance down the learning curve.”
“By coming alongside in the development phase, Google is more than just a customer. They are a partner who deeply understands our innovative approach and the potential it can deliver.”
Kairos Power was founded in 2016 with the backing of the United States Department of Energy.
The California-based company describes its mission as accelerating the development of “innovative nuclear technology that has the potential to transform the energy landscape in the United States and internationally.”
The deal is part of Google’s broader strategy to accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies and support the transition to a carbon-free future.
This collaboration also reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, with companies like Microsoft and Amazon similarly investing in nuclear energy to meet their energy needs as data centres continue to consume more electricity globally.
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