Google is Now Working on Nuclear Energy

Google is partnering with Elementl Power to develop three sites for advanced nuclear reactors, aiming to meet the surging energy demands of its AI-driven data centers.

The tech giant, which plans to invest $75 billion in data centre capacity this year, has committed to adding at least 600 megawatts of generating capacity at each site.

 "This agreement is part of our continued work to source 24/7 baseload energy to support our operations and strengthen power grids. It also helps Elementl advance its goal of bringing significant nuclear capacity online by 2035. This innovative approach links capital investment directly with the growing demand for clean baseload power, with Google having the option for commercial off-take once projects are complete," Google said.

Elementl, a nuclear startup backed by Energy Impact Partners and founded by Breakwater North, is taking a technology-agnostic approach and has yet to select a small modular reactor (SMR) partner.

Kairos Power, which already has a deal with Google, is a likely candidate. To help accelerate the clean energy transition in the U.S., last year, Google signed the world’s first corporate agreement to purchase nuclear energy from multiple small modular reactors (SMRs) being developed by Kairos Power.

AI companies like Google are increasingly turning to nuclear energy to power data centers, as they believe generative AI will require massive, reliable, and low-carbon electricity. With soaring energy demands, nuclear offers a stable, 24/7 power source to support the scale and sustainability of future AI infrastructure.

Tech giants Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta have recently signed agreements that could enable them to tap into nuclear power to meet their expanding data center demands. Nuclear energy is valued for its ability to deliver reliable, around-the-clock, and low-carbon electricity essential for powering AI-driven infrastructure.

SMRs, typically under 300 megawatts, offer scalable, reliable energy. Though none have been built outside China, Silicon Valley sees promise in the technology’s potential to deliver 24/7 power near data hubs.