Google turns to nuclear to power AI data centres

Google has recently made a significant agreement with a company called Kairos Power to utilize small nuclear reactors for powering its artificial intelligence (AI) data centres. This partnership aims to bring the first nuclear reactor online by the year 2030, with plans to have additional reactors operational by 2035. While the companies have not disclosed the financial details of the deal or the specific locations for the reactors, this move reflects a growing trend among technology firms to explore nuclear energy as a reliable source of electricity for their expansive data centres that support AI technologies. A senior director at Google emphasized the need for new electricity sources to support AI, stating, 'The grid needs new electricity sources to support AI technologies. ' This agreement is seen as a crucial step towards accelerating the development of advanced nuclear energy, which is essential for reducing carbon emissions from power grids. Jeff Olson, an executive at Kairos Power, highlighted the importance of this deal in demonstrating the technical and market viability of nuclear energy solutions. However, before any construction can begin, the plans must receive approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and local agencies. Last year, Kairos Power was granted the first permit in 50 years to build a new type of nuclear reactor in California, and in July, they commenced construction of a demonstration reactor in Tennessee. This startup specializes in developing smaller reactors that utilize molten fluoride salt as a coolant, a departure from the traditional water-cooled nuclear plants. Nuclear power is increasingly attractive to the tech industry due to its carbon-free nature and its ability to provide continuous electricity. As the demand for energy from data centres is projected to more than double by the end of the decade, according to Goldman Sachs, the need for sustainable energy sources becomes even more pressing. John Moore, an Industry Editor, pointed out that AI data centres require substantial electricity not only to operate but also to keep the equipment cool. He noted, 'These data centres are equipped with specialised hardware that require lots of power and generate lots of heat. ' At a recent United Nations Climate Change Conference, the US joined a coalition of countries aiming to triple their nuclear energy capacity by 2050 as part of efforts to transition away from fossil fuels. Nevertheless, there are critics who argue that nuclear power is not without risks and produces long-lasting radioactive waste. Last month, there were discussions surrounding the site of America’s worst nuclear accident that occurred in 1979. In March, Amazon announced its plans to acquire a nuclear-powered data centre in Pennsylvania. Somnath Kansabanik from Rystad Energy remarked, 'Google’s partnership with Kairos Power signals another major step in tech’s embrace of nuclear energy.