On October 15, 2024, Google announced a significant agreement with startup Kairos Power to utilize electricity generated by small nuclear reactors to support its artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. The deal involves the construction of seven small reactors, collectively capable of producing 500 megawatts of power, with the first expected to be operational by 2030.
Michael Terrell, Google's senior director of energy and climate, emphasized the necessity for new electricity sources to meet the growing demands of AI technologies, which are pivotal for scientific advancements and economic growth. This partnership reflects a broader trend among major tech companies, including Microsoft and Amazon, who are increasingly turning to nuclear energy to power their data centers.
In recent months, Microsoft has also engaged with Constellation Energy to revive a decommissioned nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island, while Amazon secured a data center campus in Pennsylvania that is powered by a nearby nuclear facility. Data centers currently account for approximately 3 percent of global electricity consumption, a figure expected to rise significantly as AI development accelerates.
Proponents of small modular reactors argue they offer a more cost-effective and quicker alternative to traditional large-scale nuclear plants, although this technology is still in early stages, with only three operational reactors located in Russia, China, and India. Kairos Power, founded in 2016 with support from the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to revolutionize the energy sector through innovative nuclear technology.