Small modular reactor (SMR) developer Kairos Power and Google have signed an agreement to deploy a series of advanced nuclear power projects across the US, targeting 500MW of carbon-free energy by 2035.
This partnership will help Google achieve its goal of 24/7 carbon-free power for its operations.
Under the agreement, Kairos Power will design, build, and operate the reactors, supplying energy and services to Google through power purchase agreements (PPAs). The reactors will be located near Google data centres, with the first expected to be operational by 2030, supporting Google’s net zero emissions strategy.
The agreement includes multiple reactor deployments, allowing Kairos Power to refine its technology with each installation. Milestone-based checkpoints will ensure the timely completion of the reactors and fulfilment of long-term commitments.
Google has been a major player in renewable energy since 2010, signing over 115 agreements to generate more than 14GW of clean energy. The nuclear energy from this partnership will complement Google’s existing wind and solar sources.
The tech giant identified two main drivers for this agreement with the first being the rising electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI). The other factor is the need for consistent, carbon-free power to meet round-the-clock energy requirements.
Google energy and climate senior director Michael Terrell said: “This agreement is a key part of our effort to commercialise and scale the advanced energy technologies we need to reach our net zero and 24/7 carbon-free energy goals and ensure that more communities benefit from clean and affordable power in the future.”
Kairos Power’s first small modular reactor is slated to go online by 2030, with further reactors to follow by 2035. The project is expected to add up to 500MW of carbon-free power to US electricity grids, expanding access to clean energy.
The company’s reactors use molten-salt cooling and ceramic pebble-type fuel to generate electricity through steam turbines. This low-pressure system simplifies operations and reduces costs.
Kairos Power has already started construction on the Hermes demonstration reactor in Tennessee, the first advanced reactor in the US to receive a construction permit from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Kairos Power CEO and co-founder Mike Laufer said: “Our partnership with Google will enable Kairos Power to quickly advance down the learning curve as we drive toward cost and schedule certainty for our commercial product.
“By coming alongside in the development phase, Google is more than just a customer. They are a partner who deeply understands our innovative approach and the potential it can deliver.”
Recently, another tech giant, Microsoft joined forces with Constellation Energy to revive the Three Mile Island Unit 1 nuclear reactor in Pennsylvania. A 20-year PPA signed by the parties will facilitate the launch of the 835MW Crane Clean Energy Centre (CCEC) following the restart of the Three Mile Island Unit 1 reactor.
