Google’s Nuclear Energy Agreement with Kairos Power to Accelerate Clean Energy Transition
In a pioneering move to accelerate the clean energy transition across the US, Google has announced the world’s first corporate nuclear energy agreement to purchase nuclear energy from multiple small modular reactors (SMRs) developed by Kairos Power. This innovative partnership is set to play a crucial role in meeting the growing energy demands driven by artificial intelligence technologies while advancing sustainable energy solutions.
For over a decade, Google has been at the forefront of clean energy initiatives, previously leading the way with the first corporate purchase agreements for renewable electricity. Now, the tech giant is expanding its efforts by committing to this groundbreaking agreement with Kairos Power, aiming to bring the first SMR online by 2030.
Additional reactors are expected to be deployed through 2035, ultimately contributing up to 500 megawatts of new 24/7 carbon-free power to U.S. electricity grids.
The significance of this agreement lies in two key aspects. First, as AI technologies fuel major advancements in science and improve services for businesses and consumers, there is an urgent need for reliable electricity sources. This partnership will accelerate the deployment of clean energy technology, ensuring that the full potential of AI can be unlocked for communities across the nation. Second, nuclear energy offers a clean, round-the-clock power solution that can reliably meet electricity demands every hour of the day. By advancing these power sources in collaboration with supportive local communities, the initiative aims to drive the decarbonization of electricity grids worldwide.
This agreement is a crucial step in Google’s journey to develop and commercialize a wide range of advanced clean electricity technologies. By integrating nuclear power with variable renewables like solar and wind, we are working towards our ambitious goals of 24/7 carbon-free energy and net-zero emissions. Kairos Power’s innovative technology uses a molten-salt cooling system combined with a ceramic, pebble-type fuel, enabling efficient heat transport to generate power. This passively safe design operates at low pressure, allowing for a simpler and more cost-effective reactor model. The modular nature of these reactors also reduces construction timelines, making deployment more flexible and predictable.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) underscores the economic potential of advanced nuclear technology, which boasts the highest economic impact among power generation sources. The DOE estimates that reaching 200 gigawatts of advanced nuclear capacity by 2050 could create an additional 375,000 high-paying, long-term jobs across the country.
Kairos Power has already achieved several technical milestones, including the groundbreaking of its Hermes non-powered demonstration reactor in Tennessee. This project is notable for being the first U.S. advanced reactor to receive a construction permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
By procuring electricity from multiple reactors, Google aims to create an “orderbook” of reactors, facilitating repeated deployments that will lower costs and accelerate market entry for Kairos Power’s technology. This strategy aligns with Google’s broader efforts to scale advanced technologies for the benefit of communities and enhance the availability of clean energy.
This partnership builds on Google’s previous clean energy projects, including an enhanced geothermal initiative with Fervo Energy and collaborations with utilities to expand clean energy capacity across the U.S.
As Google continues to push forward in its pursuit of diverse advanced clean electricity technologies, the agreement with Kairos Power represents a significant step toward integrating nuclear energy into its operations, paving the way for a sustainable energy future.