In a groundbreaking move, Google is set to acquire a fleet of mini nuclear reactors in a pioneering corporate energy deal. This initiative marks a significant step in the tech giant’s efforts to secure sustainable energy sources.
The partnership with California-based Kairos Power aims to construct six to seven compact reactors by 2035, with the first expected to start operation as early as 2030. As the demand for artificial intelligence continues to soar, Google believes that nuclear energy offers the “clean, round-the-clock power” necessary to sustain its operations on carbon-free energy every hour of the day.
Recent estimates reveal that training advanced AI models, such as ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, consumes substantial energy, potentially generating up to 626,000 pounds of CO2 per model. This carbon footprint is equivalent to approximately 300 round-trip flights between New York and San Francisco or five times the lifetime emissions of an average vehicle.
Google is not alone in this shift towards nuclear energy in the AI sector. Recently, Microsoft announced its own nuclear energy initiative, which includes plans to revive the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania, notorious for the worst nuclear meltdown in U.S. history. This facility, long inactive, is being restored to fuel Microsoft’s increasing energy needs for AI.
Amazon is also exploring nuclear energy solutions as part of its sustainability strategy. While specific locations and financial details of these energy deals remain undisclosed, the agreements are advancing, with Google committing to purchasing 500 megawatts of nuclear power—enough energy to drive an electric vehicle approximately 2 million miles. Additionally, Kairos Power is planning a demonstration plant in Tennessee, expected to be operational by 2027.
Topics
Artificial Intelligence
Google
