Google has announced a first-of-its-kind agreement to purchase nuclear energy from multiple small modular reactors (SMRs) developed by Kairos Power. The deal was detailed by Google's Senior Director of Energy and Climate, Michael Terrell.
The agreement outlines an ambitious plan to bring Kairos Power's initial SMR online by 2030, with additional reactor deployments slated through 2035. Once fully realised, this partnership is expected to inject up to 500 MW of new, round-the-clock carbon-free power into U.S. electricity grids.
On one front, the deal aims to meet the growing electricity demands of AI technologies. Simultaneously, it seeks to provide a reliable, clean power source that can consistently meet electricity needs without carbon emissions, every hour of every day.
Kairos Power's technology, which utilises a molten-salt cooling system combined with ceramic, pebble-type fuel, that promises reactors with efficient power generation, through a simplified, safer design. This summer, the company achieved a significant milestone by breaking ground on its Hermes non-powered demonstration reactor in Tennessee, becoming the first U.S. advanced reactor project to receive a construction permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
For Google, this agreement represents more than just a power purchase. It's a strategic move in their broader mission to develop and commercialise a diverse portfolio of advanced clean electricity technologies. By complementing their existing investments in variable renewables like solar and wind, Google is moving towards achieving its ambitious 24/7 carbon-free energy and net-zero goals.
The potential impact of this partnership extends far beyond Google's own energy needs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the nuclear power industry boasts the highest economic impact of any power generation source. Projections suggest that reaching 200 GW of advanced nuclear capacity in the U.S. by 2050 could necessitate an additional 375,000 workers, underscoring the significant job creation potential of this sector.
Michael Terrell emphasised the importance of Google's commitment to procuring electricity from multiple reactors, stating, "By creating an 'orderbook' of reactors, we will help accelerate the repeated deployments needed to lower costs and bring Kairos Power's technology to market more quickly."