On October 22, 2024, Google announced a partnership with Kairos Power to procure electricity from small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) to support its artificial intelligence initiatives.
This agreement follows the recent decision to resume operations at the site of the Three Mile Island accident, which will provide energy to Microsoft.
According to Google's senior director of energy and climate, nuclear energy is essential for clean growth and the advancement of AI technologies. The initial SMR is expected to be operational by the end of the decade, with additional reactors planned by 2035, generating a total of 500 megawatts.
Kairos co-founder and CEO emphasized the significance of this partnership, which aims to allow SMR technology to develop progressively. The move is part of a broader strategy by tech companies, including Microsoft and Amazon, to secure reliable energy sources amid rising demands from data centers.
Despite the potential benefits, nuclear energy faces criticism regarding waste disposal and safety concerns, particularly in light of historical incidents such as the 1979 Three Mile Island meltdown.