Nuclear is the hip thing in tech right now. Amazon’s deals and Microsoft’s recent announcement make that very clear, and Google’s not one to be left out of the fun.
This week, Google announced a deal with SMR developer Kairos Power to procure ~500 MW of nuclear power starting in 2030 as it ramps up to meet AI’s vast energy demands sooner rather than later.
“By procuring electricity from multiple reactors—what experts call an “orderbook” of reactors—we will help accelerate the repeated reactor deployments that are needed to lower costs and bring Kairos Power’s technology to market more quickly,” Google energy and climate executive Michael Terrell said in a blog post about the partnership.
“This is an important part of our approach to scale the benefits of advanced technologies to more people and communities, and builds on our previous efforts,” Terrell added.
Rally the troops: Under the agreement, Google will buy 500 MW of power from six or seven reactors somewhere in the US. The companies didn’t reveal where those reactors would be or how much they’re expected to cost, but they’ll be located near US-based Google data centers—of which there are currently 14, with another four under development.
On the regulatory side…Kairos is leading the pack in getting the NRC to approve its SMR designs for construction and commercialization. The company won a construction permit from the commission for its Hermes demo reactor last year and has made strides toward a permit for a second version.
Lead Reporter of Ignition
