Google has just announced plans to cooperate with startup Kairos Power to build seven small nuclear reactors (SMRs) in the US to power its AI data centers.
An additional 500 megawatts of nuclear power is expected to be added from these reactors before the end of the decade. The first reactor is expected to be operational in 2030, with the remaining six to be deployed between now and 2035.
This is the first time a technology company has signed a contract to buy nuclear power from small reactors. Compared to traditional reactors, SMRs are smaller and the necessary components are manufactured at the plant rather than built on site. This reduces construction costs compared to large-scale nuclear plants.
Kairos Power needs to get design approval and construction permits from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for these reactors. Currently, the company has approval to build a demonstration reactor in Tennessee, which is expected to be operational in 2027.
Kairos Power is also developing nuclear-fuel-free test units at its Albuquerque, New Mexico, facility to test and evaluate systems, components, and supply chains.
“This is an important part of our approach to extending the benefits of innovative technologies to more people and communities, building on previous efforts,” Michael Terrell, Google’s senior director of energy and climate, said in a blog post.
The deal is part of a trend of major tech companies turning to the nuclear industry to meet the massive energy needs of AI data centers.
Microsoft recently signed a deal with Constellation Energy to bring a unit of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania back online, and Amazon also bought a nuclear-powered data center from Talen Energy in March.
With the rapid development of AI, data centers require a large amount of stable and sustainable energy. Using nuclear energy not only helps meet this demand but also contributes to reducing carbon emissions, in line with the sustainable development strategy that large technology companies are pursuing.
Google and partners like Kairos Power are scaling and applying new technologies, especially in the energy sector, to meet the growing demand for clean and efficient energy.
