• Google has signed a deal with Kairos Power to source 500 megawatts of electricity from small modular reactors (SMRs) to support the energy needs of AI by 2030.
  • The tech industry is increasingly turning to nuclear power as AI technology scales, with Google, Amazon, and Microsoft leading the charge.

Google has taken a groundbreaking step towards meeting the rising energy demands of artificial intelligence by signing a corporate deal to source power from small modular reactors (SMRs). The tech giant announced that it has entered into an agreement with Kairos Power, marking the first such corporate purchase of nuclear energy from multiple SMRs. This move reflects Google’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions as AI continues to drive up electricity usage.

Under the agreement, Kairos aims to bring its first small modular reactor online by 2030, with more reactors expected to follow by 2035. Google has committed to purchasing 500 megawatts of power from six to seven reactors—smaller than conventional reactors but designed for efficiency and scalability. Financial terms of the deal and plant locations remain undisclosed.

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According to Michael Terrell, Google’s senior director for energy and climate, nuclear power offers a reliable, round-the-clock clean energy source that can meet AI’s increasing energy needs. The tech industry has been seeking such innovative energy solutions as demand for data center power is expected to triple by 2030.

Tech giants turning to nuclear for energy

Google isn’t alone in this shift. Other tech companies have also been looking to nuclear power as a sustainable alternative. Earlier this year, Amazon purchased a nuclear-powered data center from Talen Energy, while Microsoft and Constellation Energy teamed up to revive a unit at the infamous Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania. These partnerships highlight the growing need for massive energy sources as AI technology scales globally.

While critics argue that SMRs may be costly due to their smaller scale and potential long-term nuclear waste issues, Google’s investment signals confidence in the future of this technology. By opting for an “order book framework,” Google hopes to expedite SMR development and streamline the process of bringing these reactors online efficiently. Mike Laufer, cofounder and CEO of Kairos, expressed optimism about the partnership, noting it could set a precedent for future SMR projects.

With this move, Google is betting big on nuclear energy as a vital component of its long-term AI strategy. The deal will hinge on Kairos securing the necessary permits from U.S. regulators, but if successful, it could reshape the way tech companies power their operations.