Google has struck a deal to buy the world’s first private mini-nuclear reactors, as technology companies race to secure power for their data centres.
The US search engine giant has ordered a fleet of small modular reactors (SMRs) from California’s Kairos Power, with each mini-nuke capable of generating 500 megawatts (MW) of low-carbon electricity.
California-based Kairos said its first commercial reactor will come online by 2030, with additional reactors operational by 2035.
Google’s decision to embrace nuclear comes as the expansion of AI increases the tech sector’s energy requirements.
Michael Terrell, senior director for energy and climate at Google, said: “The grid needs new electricity sources to support AI technologies that are powering major scientific advances, improving services for businesses and customers, and driving national competitiveness and economic growth.
“This agreement helps accelerate a new technology to meet energy needs cleanly and reliably, and unlock the full potential of AI for everyone.”
He added: “Nuclear solutions offer a clean, round-the-clock power source that can help us reliably meet electricity demands with carbon-free energy every hour of every day.”
This latest acquisition comes after Microsoft agreed last month to buy at least 20 years of energy generated by a power plant in Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania.
The plant, which is home to the worst nuclear accident in America’s history, will be reopened in 2028 as part of the deal.