Google announcedCollaboration with nuclear energy startup Kairos Power, plans to build seven small modular reactors (SMRs) in the United States, and is expected to use nuclear energy to generate 7 megawatts of electricity by the end of this century to drive the operation of its power-intensive data centers.
In related explanations, Google stated that based on its previous external procurement of renewable energy, it has signed a cooperation agreement with Kairos Power to deploy and use its small modular reactors by 2030, and plans to deploy more small modular reactors by 2035 to generate electricity at a lower cost. In addition to using it to drive its data center operations, it also plans to use it for the electricity needs of nearby communities.
Google said that in the current era of many technological developments, electricity will become an important development project and will also contribute to the overall economic development. Therefore, how to generate large amounts of electricity in a more efficient and lower-cost way will also become a future development direction.
Nuclear power generation will meet the above needs simultaneously. It is also expected that small modular reactors can generate large amounts of electricity more safely and efficiently to support the power needs of its global data centers and office facilities. It will also become an important supporting technology behind the use of green energy such as solar, wind, and tidal power generation, and will also accelerate Google's annual net zero carbon emission goal.
At the same time, Google also emphasized the simplicity and safety of small modular reactor design, making nuclear power generation easier to deploy and apply, while generating large amounts of electricity in a safer environment and reducing the cost of generating more electricity.
Google did not disclose the specific funding for this collaboration with Kairos Power, but noted that plans and construction permits still need to be approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Kairos Power has already received approval to build a demonstration reactor in Tennessee, with an expected operational date of 2027.
In addition to Google's plan to use nuclear power to power its data centers, Microsoft recently announced a partnership with Constellation Energy, planning to resume operation of the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant owned by Constellation Energy in 2028, thereby providing Microsoft with the electricity needed for artificial intelligence computing over the next 20 years. Amazon also acquired the nuclear-powered Cumulus data center campus from Talen Energy for US$6.5 million.
