Google announced on October 14, 2024, that it has signed the world's first corporate agreement to purchase energy from multiple small modular reactors (SMRs) to power its artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.
The tech giant partnered with California-based Kairos Power, aiming to have the first reactor operational by 2030, with additional units planned by 2035. Financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed, nor has the location for the reactors been confirmed.
Google has committed to acquiring a total of 500 megawatts of energy from six to seven nuclear reactors, which is less than the output of current reactors. Michael Terrell, Google's Director of Energy and Climate, expressed confidence that nuclear energy can help meet the company's clean energy needs around the clock.
The demand for electricity from U.S. data centers is projected to triple between now and 2030, necessitating approximately 47 gigawatts of new generation capacity, according to Goldman Sachs estimates. This trend has led several tech companies, including Microsoft and Amazon, to explore nuclear energy solutions.
Kairos Power will need to obtain construction and design permits from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and local authorities, a process that may take years. SMRs are smaller than traditional reactors and are designed to be manufactured in factories, potentially lowering production costs.