Google has signed a deal with nuclear startup Kairos Power to use small nuclear reactors to generate electricity for its AI data centres.
Under the agreement, the first reactor is expected to be operational this decade, with more planned by 2035.
The move is part of a broader trend among tech companies, including Microsoft and Amazon, to turn to nuclear energy as a reliable, carbon-free power source to meet the growing energy demands of AI technologies. The deal still requires approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and local agencies.
Nuclear power, which operates 24/7 and emits minimal carbon, has become increasingly attractive as tech firms strive to cut emissions while addressing the rising energy consumption of AI data centres.
Kairos Power is developing advanced reactors using molten fluoride salt as a coolant, offering an alternative to traditional water-cooled reactors. The deal with Google will help commercialise this technology, which is seen as a key solution for “decarbonising” power grids. However, concerns remain over nuclear energy’s risks, including long-lasting radioactive waste.
