Google has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Kairos Power to power its artificial intelligence (AI) data centers using small nuclear reactors. This move is part of Google's broader strategy to meet the immense energy demands of its AI infrastructure while adhering to clean energy goals.

Under this agreement, Google aims to deploy its first nuclear reactor by the end of this decade, with plans to scale up by adding more reactors through 2035. While the financial details and specific locations of the nuclear plants remain undisclosed, the collaboration underscores a growing trend among tech companies to tap into nuclear energy to power their vast data operations.

Michael Terrell, Google's Senior Director for Energy and Climate, emphasized the importance of this initiative. "The grid needs new electricity sources to support AI technologies. This agreement helps accelerate a new technology to meet energy needs cleanly and reliably, unlocking the full potential of AI for everyone," he said.

The partnership also marks a pivotal moment for Kairos Power, which focuses on advancing nuclear energy technology through the use of small modular reactors. Jeff Olson, an executive at Kairos, highlighted the significance of the deal, stating, "This agreement is crucial in demonstrating the technical and market viability of advanced nuclear energy solutions, which are essential to decarbonizing power grids."

Before moving forward, the plan requires approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and local regulatory agencies. Last year, Kairos Power made headlines when it received the first permit in 50 years to build a new type of nuclear reactor. The company recently began constructing a demonstration reactor in Tennessee.

Kairos Power's reactors utilize molten fluoride salt as a coolant instead of water, setting them apart from traditional nuclear plants. This advanced cooling technology, combined with nuclear power’s ability to provide consistent, virtually carbon-free electricity, has made nuclear energy increasingly appealing to the tech industry, which is under pressure to reduce emissions while facing higher energy demands.

According to Goldman Sachs, global energy consumption by data centers is expected to more than double by the end of the decade. AI data centers, in particular, require massive amounts of electricity both for operations and cooling specialized hardware, contributing to the growing need for sustainable energy sources.

At last year's United Nations Climate Change Conference, the US joined other nations in a pledge to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050 as part of the effort to move away from fossil fuels. Despite its potential, nuclear power remains controversial due to concerns about safety and long-lasting radioactive waste.

Other tech giants are also making moves in the nuclear space. Microsoft recently signed a deal to restart operations at the Three Mile Island energy plant, the site of America’s most infamous nuclear accident in 1979. Amazon has also announced plans to purchase a nuclear-powered data center in Pennsylvania.

Somnath Kansabanik from Rystad Energy remarked, "Google's partnership with Kairos Power marks another significant step in the tech industry's shift toward embracing nuclear energy."