Google is making significant strides in securing clean energy for its data centers, announcing plans to utilize small modular reactors (SMRs) and committing funding to advanced nuclear projects. This strategic move aims to meet the escalating energy demands driven by artificial intelligence, positioning Google as a key player in the burgeoning nuclear energy sector for tech infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
- Google’s first SMR, developed by Kairos Power, will be located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with operations starting in 2030.
- This initial SMR will provide up to 50MW of energy to Google’s data centers in Tennessee and Alabama, also supporting the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) grid.
- Google is committing early-stage development capital to at least three advanced nuclear projects with Elementl Power, each capable of generating 600 MW.
Google’s Nuclear Data Center Strategy
Google has confirmed that its inaugural small modular reactor (SMR) will be situated at Kairos Power’s Hermes 2 Plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Operations are slated to commence in 2030, with the reactor providing up to 50MW of energy. This power will serve Google’s data centers in Tennessee and neighboring Alabama, while also contributing to the broader Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) grid.
This initiative is part of a larger deal where Google agreed to purchase energy from multiple SMRs developed by Kairos Power, aiming to supply 500MW of power by 2035 to support the energy-intensive needs of AI. Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s Global Head of Data Center Energy, stated that the company will procure clean energy attributes from the TVA’s purchase of electricity from the Kairos Hermes 2 plant, ensuring round-the-clock clean energy for its data centers.
Funding Advanced Nuclear Projects
In parallel, Google has entered into an agreement with nuclear project developer Elementl Power, committing funding to at least three advanced nuclear projects. Each of these projects is expected to have a generation capacity of 600 MW. This commitment is part of Google’s broader strategy to source 24/7 baseload energy to bolster its operations and strengthen power grids.
Elementl Power aims to bring over 10 GW of nuclear power capacity online by 2035. Google’s investment will provide crucial early-stage development capital to advance these projects. While specific locations for these Elementl Power projects have not been disclosed, the company is evaluating potential technology and construction partners.
The Tech Industry’s Nuclear Energy Push
Google’s move into nuclear energy aligns with a broader trend among major tech companies seeking low-carbon electricity solutions for their energy-hungry data centers, particularly to support AI workloads. Oracle has secured permits for three SMRs to power a data center, and Microsoft has a power purchase agreement for the Three Mile Island nuclear plant. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has also acquired a data center campus adjacent to a nuclear power station in Pennsylvania.
The adoption of SMRs is seen as a way to expedite the deployment of nuclear power compared to traditional reactors, though the rollout of this newer technology may present its own challenges.
