**Google to Purchase Nuclear Power from Kairos Power to Meet Growing Data Center Demands**

In a significant move towards cleaner energy solutions, Google has announced it will source power from small modular reactor (SMR) developer Kairos Power. This decision aligns with the increasing trend among tech companies to leverage nuclear energy for meeting the surging power needs of their data centers.

The technology giant disclosed its plans to procure energy from a series of Kairos Power's SMRs. By investing in multiple reactors, Google aims to send a crucial demand signal to the market and support the long-term commercialization of nuclear power technologies. "We believe that nuclear energy has a critical role to play in supporting our clean growth and helping to deliver on the progress of AI," stated Michael Terrell, Google's senior director for energy and climate, during a call with reporters.

Google emphasized the importance of nuclear power in providing clean, reliable energy essential for the continuous operation of data centers. Unlike traditional large commercial reactors that have been plagued by budget overruns and delays, SMRs promise more cost-effective and scalable nuclear solutions. Although the financial details of the deal were not disclosed, Google is optimistic about the potential of these reactors.

Currently, there are only three operational SMRs globally, and none are in the U.S. Kairos Power, which received backing from the Department of Energy, was founded in 2016 and has already started constructing its Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Instead of using water, Kairos' reactors use molten fluoride salt as a coolant, marking a significant deviation from conventional nuclear technology.

Google plans to have the first reactor operational by 2030, with additional reactors expected to go online through 2035, collectively adding 500 megawatts of power to the grid. While this output is smaller compared to commercial reactors like Unit 4 at Plant Vogtle—which produces 1.1 gigawatts—the momentum behind SMR projects is strong due to their lower costs, faster deployment, and flexible location requirements.

This announcement underscores the burgeoning partnership between the tech industry and nuclear energy. As data centers require uninterrupted power supply, which is currently only achievable through emissions-free baseload power like nuclear energy, leading tech companies are increasingly exploring these options. In addition to Google's initiative, other tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon are also turning to nuclear power, with Constellation Energy restarting Three Mile Island to support Microsoft, and Amazon acquiring a data center powered by the Susquehanna nuclear plant.

Google's initiative comes at a time when its emissions have surged nearly 50% since 2019, driven partially by increased data center consumption. The company's steps towards nuclear energy are seen as a promising bet with the potential for substantial benefits across global communities and energy grids, paving the way for a sustainable future.