Google will power its AI data centers with nuclear reactors

This article was originally published in English

In a new effort to feed their clean energy AI data centersGoogle has turned to nuclear energy and signed a collaboration agreement with the American company Kairos Power, which is developing small modular reactors (SMR). “Today we signed the world’s first corporate agreement to acquire nuclear power from multiple small modular reactors (SMRs) to be developed by Kairos Power,” Google said in a statement.

The first reactor of this type, which will supply power to data centers Google, will be operational in 2030, followed by other reactors between now and 2035. Google added: “Together, this agreement will provide up to 500 MW of new carbon-free energy to US power grids 24 hours a day. “The grid needs new sources of electricity to support AI technologies.” This is enough to supply electricity to about 360,000 homes per year.

Data centers are the heart of the digital economy and their total energy consumption is expected to double between 2023 and 2028, reaching 857 Terawatt hours (TWh) at the end of this period.

Kairos Power has been developing small modular reactors that use a molten salt cooling system (instead of water), which promises shorter construction time and more adaptable solutions to localized needs. The technology is not ready yetbut the deal is seen as an important step in paving the way for long-term commercial scale.

This summer, Kairos Power laid the first stone of its reactor demonstration project in Tennessee, the first project of its kind to receive a construction permit from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission

“This agreement helps accelerate new technology to meet energy needs cleanly and reliably, and unlock the full potential of AI for everyone,” Google added. The company has not disclosed the value of the deal or the planned location of reactors.