Google has signed a nuclear deal with Kairos Power to buy electricity generated by its small nuclear reactors. Google said the agreement will help accelerate the development of new technologies, meet energy demand and unlock the potential of AI. This is the first corporate agreement in the world to purchase power from multiple SMRS.
Google’s senior director of Energy and climate highlighted the key role of nuclear energy in supporting clean growth and advances in artificial intelligence. Big tech companies power data centers, sparking interest in nuclear power plants. Kairos Power was founded in 2016 and its reactors use molten fluoride salts. The first reactor will come online in 2030, with more reactors to come online in 2035, with a total capacity of 500 megawatts.
Monday’s announcement is another example of tech companies working with nuclear power. Data centers need reliable power, and nuclear is an emission-free baseload power source. Many hyperscale companies are turning to nuclear power for their emissions-reduction goals.
Kairos power needs to be licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and local agencies, a process that could take years. Google will continue to work to accelerate its portfolio of advanced clean power technologies to bring new clean, affordable energy to the grid.
This agreement opens up new opportunities in the nuclear energy sector and provides a new way for technology companies to develop sustainably.