Google and Kairos Power have entered a historic agreement to develop 500 megawatts of nuclear energy by 2035, providing clean energy for Google’s data centres. This initiative, using small modular reactors (SMRs), is part of Google’s strategy to meet the rising energy demands of its AI and cloud computing operations while striving for 24/7 carbon-free energy.
Today we signed a pioneering agreement to purchase clean energy in the US from @KairosPower, a leader in building small modular nuclear reactors. It’s the latest step in our history of accelerating clean energy sources and will help support AI investments. https://t.co/euRuuIjgdk
Kairos Power will build multiple advanced nuclear plants under this agreement, focusing on safety, scalability, and cost-efficiency. Mike Laufer, CEO of Kairos Power, emphasised that the partnership would accelerate the commercialisation of advanced reactors, addressing both technical challenges and market viability. SMRs offer a flexible and environmentally friendly solution to Google’s energy needs, complementing their current reliance on renewable sources such as wind and solar.
BREAKING: Kairos Power and @Google have signed a Master Plant Development Agreement, creating a path to deploy a U.S. fleet of advanced nuclear power projects totaling 500 MW by 2035.
The multi-plant agreement reflects a significant step forward for nuclear energy’s role in the U.S. clean energy transition. Google’s leadership in committing to this advanced technology demonstrates the tech giant’s focus on reducing its carbon footprint, aiming to power its data centres and achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. Jeffrey Olson, Vice President, Business Development and Finance at Kairos Power, noted that the deal provides critical momentum for nuclear energy commercialisation, helping decarbonise power grids and ensuring communities access reliable, clean energy.
2/ The next gen of clean electricity technologies – including advanced nuclear – will be critical to running our global data centers and offices on 24/7 carbon-free energy and filling gaps in wind and solar generation with firm, dispatchable power: https://t.co/wgq9P8YKzh
The agreement is also a first-of-its-kind corporate purchase of nuclear energy from multiple SMRs. This is essential for meeting the increasing power demands of AI technologies, which require clean, round-the-clock energy. Google also highlighted the local economic benefits, as nuclear projects generate high-paying, long-term jobs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, advanced nuclear energy could create hundreds of thousands of jobs by 2050.
In addition, Kairos Power’s innovative molten salt cooling system provides a cost-efficient and inherently safe design, making nuclear power more accessible. The technology will help reduce construction timelines and increase deployment flexibility, advancing reactor deployment in the U.S.
Conclusion
This partnership underscores Google’s commitment to pioneering sustainable energy solutions through innovative technologies like SMRs. As tech companies face growing energy demands, nuclear energy presents a viable pathway for achieving both operational sustainability and broader decarbonisation goals.
