Google has taken a significant step towards sustainable energy supply as the first technology company by ordering six to seven small modular reactors (SMRs) from the US start-up Kairos Power. The total capacity of these SMRs is expected to reach 500 megawatts and will provide the energy-hungry data centers of the corporation with low-CO₂ electricity.
The contract supports Kairos Power in bringing its first commercial reactor online by 2030 and additional facilities by 2035. Michael Terrell, Senior Director of Energy and Climate at Google, described the contract as a "milestone in Google's 15-year clean energy journey." "We are convinced that nuclear energy can play a crucial role in meeting our energy needs cleanly around the clock," said Terrell.
Kairos Power's SMRs are distinguished by their innovative cooling technology, which uses molten fluoride salt instead of water. These reactors utilize ceramic-coated TRISO fuel and operate at nearly atmospheric pressure, ensuring higher safety and efficiency. Additionally, SMRs offer simplified construction and flexible deployment options at various locations.
The partnership with Google marks the first time a technology company has commissioned the construction of new nuclear power plants specifically to meet the energy needs of its infrastructure. This initiative follows the recent progress of Kairos Power, which received a construction permit in December for the 50MW Hermes reactor in Tennessee – the first permit for a new type of reactor in the USA in half a century. The US Department of Energy is also investing approximately $300 million in the Hermes project as part of the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program.
Alongside the order of the SMRs, Kairos Power plans to expand additional facilities in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to support the production of molten salt and the development of fuel laboratories. "This technology offers a promising solution for the global energy transition by enabling a reliable and scalable power supply," explained Kairos CEO Mike Laufer.
Although Google is still finalizing the integration of SMRs into its energy network, the initiative demonstrates the growing interest of technology companies in nuclear energy as a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure a stable energy supply.
