Google has stated its intention to use nuclear energy to help power the company’s ever growing global data centers and offices, signing what it calls the world’s first corporate agreement of its kind.
It will purchase the energy from multiple small modular reactors (SMRs) that will be developed by California-based nuclear engineering firm Kairos Power, with the intention to be online by 2030.
The announcement follows similar plans from Microsoft to fuel its AI plans with nuclear, and paves the way for Google’s continuing attempts to be the industry leader in the future of AI.
Supporting AI and Scientific Advances
Google’s Senior Director of Energy and Climate, Michael Terrell, announced the news on the company’s blog The Keyword.
He explained that the deal with Kairos Power would “enable up to 500 MW of new 24/7 carbon-free power to U.S. electricity grids,” which would also allow more communities to benefit from “clean and affordable” power.
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Terrell pinpointed two primary reasons for making the agreement:
- Essential electricity source Google needs additional energy sources to keep up with its plans for AI. This agreement, Terrell says, will help accelerate AI technology, which will in turn drive “national competitiveness and economic growth”
- Clean power commitment Terrell says that the use of nuclear power for Google’s ambitions will “drive the decarbonization of electricity grids around the world”
“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.” – Michael Terrell, Google
Clean Power, New Jobs
Google says that the use of nuclear power will sit alongside solar and wind to contribute towards its “efforts to develop and commercialize a broad portfolio of advanced clean electricity technologies.”
The SMRs it will utilize are characterized by their relatively small size and, therefore, their ability to be deployed in more locations. They are also quicker and more straightforward to build.
“Investing in advanced nuclear technology can also provide direct economic benefits to communities,” Google says, citing figures from the US Department of Energy that estimates the creation of 375,000 new jobs by 2050.
Powering On
Google predicts that the use of nuclear power will help scale up advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence.
In its own statement, Kairos Power said that multi-plant arrangements like this will “support technology development” and establish nuclear as a key power source “by demonstrating the technical and market viability… while delivering much-needed energy generation and capacity.”
Google has previously pinned its colors to the AI mast, with CEO Sundar Pichai saying it will impact every product across every company.
The company is continuing to develop its everyday consumer use, recently adding new AI tools for its Workspace, Meet and Chat services, while it hopes that the Google Gemini chatbot will edge out competition like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot.
