Key Takeaways
- Google signs the first corporate agreement for nuclear energy
- Deal aims for 500 MW of clean power to the U.S. grid
- Supports Google’s 24/7 carbon-free energy goal
Google and Kairos Nuclear Power Agreement
Google has made a historic move by signing an agreement with Kairos Power to procure nuclear energy from advanced small modular reactors (SMRs). This partnership seeks to bring the first SMR online by 2030, with additional reactors anticipated by 2035. Once fully operational, these reactors could generate up to 500 MW of 24/7 carbon-free power, helping supply Google’s data centers and supporting clean energy across U.S. grids.
The Kairos SMR model combines compact reactor designs with high safety standards, enabling faster and more reliable deployment. With these advanced reactors, Google aims to secure stable, continuous energy that complements its existing renewable sources, marking a pivotal step toward sustainable energy operations.
Google’s Nuclear History and Kairos’ Reactor Design
In November 2023, Google and Fervo Energy launched Project Red, a 3.5-MW geothermal project in Nevada to power Google’s data centers.
The following month, Kairos Power received NRC approval to build the Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, marking the first non-light-water reactor approval in the U.S. in over 50 years as part of a pilot project.
Kairos Power’s SMRs use a molten-salt cooling system with ceramic pebble fuel, creating an efficient and low-pressure setup that enhances safety and affordability. By testing prototypes and establishing a demonstration reactor in Tennessee, Kairos Power is rapidly progressing toward commercial scale. Google’s commitment to a “reactor orderbook” model is expected to help reduce costs, accelerate the widespread deployment of SMRs and set a new standard for clean energy in tech.
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