Google has entered into an agreement to utilize small nuclear reactors for generating the substantial energy required to operate its artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. According to the company, the partnership with Kairos Power will enable it to commence using the initial reactor within this decade and aim to introduce additional reactors by 2035. Details regarding the financial terms of the agreement or the locations of the facilities have not been disclosed by either company. An increasing number of tech firms are exploring nuclear energy sources to provide power for the massive data centers fueling AI development. Michael Terrell, Google’s senior director for energy and climate, stated, "The grid needs new electricity sources to support AI technologies. This agreement facilitates the acceleration of new technology to meet energy demands cleanly and reliably, thereby unlocking the full potential of AI for everyone. " Kairos executive Jeff Olson emphasized that the Google partnership is significant for advancing the commercialization of advanced nuclear energy, showcasing the technical and market feasibility of a solution vital for decarbonizing power grids. The proposed plans await approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and local authorities before advancing further. Last year, regulators in the US granted California-based Kairos Power the first permit in half a century to construct a new nuclear reactor design. In July, construction began on a demonstration reactor in Tennessee. The startup focuses on developing smaller reactors that utilize molten fluoride salt as a coolant, contrasting with the water-based systems used in conventional nuclear plants. As nuclear power is nearly carbon-free and provides constant electricity, it has become increasingly appealing to the tech sector, particularly as it seeks to reduce emissions while managing rising energy consumption. According to Goldman Sachs, global energy demand from data centers is projected to more than double by the decade's end. John Moore, Industry Editor at TechTarget, informed the BBC that AI data centers consume significant electricity, not only for operation but also for cooling their equipment.

"These data centers are outfitted with specialized hardware that requires considerable power, generating substantial heat. " During a United Nations Climate Change Conference last year, the US joined a coalition of nations aiming to triple their nuclear energy capacities by 2050, as part of a strategy to transition away from fossil fuels. However, detractors argue that nuclear power carries inherent risks and produces long-lasting radioactive waste. Last month, Microsoft announced a deal to restart operations at the Three Mile Island plant, the site of America’s most severe nuclear incident in 1979. In March, Amazon revealed plans to acquire a nuclear-powered data center in Pennsylvania. "Google’s collaboration with Kairos Power marks another significant advancement in the tech industry's acceptance of nuclear energy, " remarked Somnath Kansabanik from research firm Rystad Energy.