Google Backs Advanced Nuclear Reactor Project to Power AI and Cloud Infrastructure

Advanced nuclear reactors spark frenzy as Google moves to secure clean energy for cloud storage and booming digital infrastructure

Data centers drive demand for clean power and nuclear exploration Google has entered into a collaboration with Kairos Power and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to support the development of a small modular nuclear reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to power its infrastucture expansion. The company announced the Hermes 2 facility is expected to begin operations in 2030, and generate up to 50 megawatts of electricity for the TVA grid. This will help power Google's data centers in Tennessee and Alabama, which are central to the company's growing needs for the likes of cloud hosting, cloud storage, and AI tools. The arrangement takes the form of a power purchase agreement, in which TVA will buy electricity from Kairos Power and deliver the clean energy attributes to Google. The partners describe this as the first purchase of electricity from a Generation IV reactor by a US utility. While the project provides only a fraction of the 500 megawatts Google has outlined as a longer-term goal, it is being framed as a proof of concept for how utilities, technology companies, and developers might share costs and risks in future deployments. Unlike solar and wind, which depend on weather conditions, nuclear power can provide continuous energy. "Nuclear is the bedrock of the future of energy security. Google stepping in and helping shoulder the burden of the cost and risk for first-of-a-kind nuclear projects... it's not just good for Google. It's good for TVA's 10 million customers. It's good for the United States," said Don Moul, CEO of TVA. However, nuclear construction has historically faced delays and cost overruns, raising questions about whether this new generation of reactors will truly deliver affordable and reliable power at scale. The project is also being presented as a way to boost economic activity in Oak Ridge, a city long tied to nuclear research and development. Training programs with the University of Tennessee and other local institutions are being planned to prepare workers for technical roles at the Hermes 2 plant. While the initiative promises high-paying jobs and renewed investment, critics may ask whether reliance on experimental nuclear designs is the most effective strategy compared to expanding proven renewable generation. Nevertheless, this development has attracted interest and comments from industry experts, government agencies, and politicians. "To power the future, we need to grow the availability of smart, firm energy sources... This collaboration with TVA, Kairos Power, and the Oak Ridge community will accelerate the deployment of innovative nuclear technologies." said Amanda Peterson Corio, Google's Global Head of Data Center Energy. "This collaboration is an important enabler to making advanced nuclear energy commercially competitive," said Mike Laufer, Kairos Power CEO and co-founder. "Tennessee's legacy of nuclear innovation positions the Volunteer State to lead America's energy dominance and drive continued economic growth with safe, clean, and reliable nuclear energy," said Governor Bill Lee.

Google Backs Kairos Nuclear Deal As Bill Gates' TerraPower Rivalry Heats Up: 'Help America Win The AI Race,' Tennessee Valley Authority CEO Says - Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN)

Google-backed nuclear startup Kairos Power has entered into an agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority to supply up to 50 megawatts of electricity from its Hermes 2 reactor to the grid in Tennessee and Alabama by 2030. Kairos Power and Google say the deal is the first time a U.S. utility has committed to buying power from advanced reactors, signaling a potential shift in the nation's energy strategy. TVA President and CEO Don Moul called the partnership a milestone, saying in the statement, "The world is looking for American leadership, and this first-of-a-kind agreement is the start of an innovative way of doing business." He added that building a supply chain and delivery model around advanced reactors could "help America win the AI race" while supporting companies like Google. Don't Miss: The same firms that backed Uber, Venmo and eBay are investing in this pre-IPO company disrupting a $1.8T market -- and you can too at just $2.90/share. Kevin O'Leary Says Real Estate's Been a Smart Bet for 200 Years -- This Platform Lets Anyone Tap Into It Google's AI Energy Needs Drive Push Into Nuclear Google will acquire "clean energy attributes" from the TVA through the deal, which certifies its operations as carbon-free while supporting data centers in Montgomery County, Tennessee, and Jackson County, Alabama. "To power the future, we need to grow the availability of smart, firm energy sources," Google Global Head of Data Center Energy Amanda Peterson Corio said in the statement. She explained that the collaboration with Kairos Power, TVA, and the Oak Ridge community in Tennessee, home to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, will "accelerate the deployment of innovative nuclear technologies" while meeting the demands of the growing digital economy and supporting carbon-free electricity generation. Kairos Power announced last October that Google would buy 500 megawatts of small modular reactor energy through 2035 from it, making it the first tech giant to commit to this type of nuclear deal. Trending: Dump Your Financial Advisors. One AI Platform Manages Everything -- With Zero AUM Fees. Book Your Demo Today. Kairos Power Expands Nuclear Ambitions Amid Competition The Hermes test reactor was the first of its kind to receive a Nuclear Regulatory Commission construction permit in 2023, though Inc. says it was not designed to produce electricity. Hermes 2, approved last November, will be the first electricity-producing advanced reactor of its kind, and operations are expected to begin as early as 2030, according to Inc. Kairos Power co-founder and CEO Mike Laufer said the project "is an important enabler to making advanced nuclear energy commercially competitive." He added that Hermes 2 "gets us closer to the commercial fleet sooner" thanks to support from TVA, Google, and the Oak Ridge community, while helping write a new chapter in the region's nuclear history. U.S. officials also framed the project as a step toward national energy security and technological leadership. "The deployment of advanced nuclear reactors is essential to U.S. AI dominance and energy leadership," Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in the statement. He added that the Department of Energy has supported Kairos Power through the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program and will "continue to help accelerate the next American nuclear renaissance." See Also: 7 Million Gamers Already Trust Gameflip With Their Digital Assets -- Now You Can Own a Stake in the Platform Bill Gates' TerraPower And Amazon-Backed XEnergy Enter The Spotlight Kairos Power's latest deal places it alongside TerraPower, the advanced nuclear startup co-founded by Bill Gates, which Inc. says it is also pursuing small modular reactor technology. XEnergy, backed by Amazon AMZN, is another competitor in the small modular reactor market, showing the role major tech companies have in the future of advanced nuclear power. Read Next: From Chipotle to Red Bull, Top Brands Are Already Building With Modern Mill's Tree-Free Wood Alternative -- Here's How You Can Invest Too Image: Shutterstock AMZNAmazon.com Inc$228.49-0.10%Stock Score Locked: Edge Members Only Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Unlock RankingsEdge RankingsMomentum75.56Growth91.84Quality61.18Value51.18Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewMarket News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs