Google Teams Up with Startup to Build Small Nuclear Reactors for AI Power Supply
Google has announced a significant partnership with the startup Kairos Power to construct small nuclear reactors designed to provide electricity for its artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives.
This landmark agreement entails the development of seven small modular reactors, each capable of generating 500 megawatts of power, with the first reactor expected to be operational by 2030.
Michael Terrell, the senior director of energy and climate at Google, highlighted the necessity for new electricity sources in a blog post, stating, “The grid needs new electricity sources to support AI technologies that are powering major scientific advances, improving services for businesses and customers, and driving national competitiveness and economic growth.” He emphasized that this partnership will help accelerate the adoption of clean and reliable energy solutions to unlock AI’s full potential.
As major tech companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon seek innovative ways to power their expanding data centers, interest in nuclear energy has surged. Last month, Microsoft entered a deal with Constellation Energy to restore a decommissioned nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, ensuring a power supply for the next 20 years. Similarly, Amazon secured an agreement earlier this year to acquire a 1,200-acre data center campus in Pennsylvania that sources energy from a nearby nuclear facility.
Data centers currently consume approximately 3% of the world’s electricity, and this demand is projected to increase significantly as AI technologies continue to develop, according to the law firm White & Case.
Small modular reactors are viewed by advocates as a more cost-effective and time-efficient alternative to traditional large-scale nuclear reactors. However, this technology is still in its infancy, with only three such reactors currently in operation globally, located in Russia, China, and India.
Kairos Power’s CEO, Mike Laufer, expressed optimism about the partnership, noting that it will allow the company to “quickly advance down the learning curve.” He remarked that Google is not just a customer but a partner who understands the innovative approach and the potential it brings.
Founded in 2016 with support from the U.S. Department of Energy, Kairos Power aims to accelerate the development of groundbreaking nuclear technologies that could transform the energy landscape in the United States and beyond.
