Google Taps Nuclear Power to Fuel AI: WSJ

Google has signed an agreement to support the construction of seven small nuclear reactors in the U.S. to help meet the country’s rising demand for electricity, particularly for its artificial intelligence (AI) data centers.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the deal is with nuclear-energy startup Kairos Power and represents the first commercial construction of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) in the United States. The companies announced that the reactors are expected to add 500 megawatts of power by the end of the decade.

Google Partnership with Kairos for Nuclear Energy

Under the agreement, Kairos Power will deliver the reactors, each using molten fluoride salt as a coolant rather than the traditional water-cooling method. The plan includes a 50-megawatt reactor followed by three power plants with two 75-megawatt reactors each. These smaller reactors are designed to be more efficient to construct compared to conventional nuclear plants, which typically have a capacity of around 1,000 megawatts.

The power-purchase agreement follows a model similar to those Google used with renewable energy providers, like wind and solar. Although the exact location of the reactors has not yet been determined, the project aims to begin operations between 2030 and 2035. The company also has a demonstration reactor project in Tennessee, slated to start operating in 2027.

Small Modular Reactors to Power Google’s Energy Needs

The nuclear reactors built by Kairos will generate enough power to support the equivalent of a midsize city or a single AI data center campus. It has not been decided whether the power will flow directly to Google’s data centers or the regional grid. Google intends to count this nuclear power toward its carbon-reduction goals.

Google’s need for increased power comes at a time when its data centers, particularly those that support AI operations, are driving demand. The deal answers the challenge of finding customers willing to commit to first-of-its-kind reactor projects, which can be more expensive initially.

Kairos Power has begun preparations for building the reactors, with a facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where it is testing systems and components. The company has clearance from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to build its demonstration reactor but will need further approvals to proceed with the full-scale reactors planned for Google.

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