Google took a significant step in the field of nuclear energy by signing a power purchase agreement with California-based nuclear energy startup Kairos Power. This agreement is seen as part of Google’s goal to power its data centers with nuclear energy in the future.
Google to obtain 500 megawatts of power
Under the agreement, Kairos Power plans to provide Google with 500 megawatts of energy through small modular reactors (SMRs). This amount is about half of what a large nuclear plant could produce and enough to meet the energy needs of a small city.
However, it may take up to a decade for these plants to come online. The project requires approval from various authorities, and it is expected that this process could take time. Nevertheless, Google’s investment in nuclear energy is considered an important step toward solving the energy issues in the data center industry.
Google and Kairos Power have not yet disclosed the financial details of the agreement or the locations of the plants. However, this move demonstrates Google’s commitment to using sustainable energy in its cloud services.
Meanwhile, Microsoft recently signed an agreement with Constellation Energy to restart the famous Three Mile Island reactor in Pennsylvania, and Amazon purchased a data center next to another nuclear reactor in the same state.
Nuclear energy, in addition to being more stable and reliable compared to other sustainable energy sources, presents a significant advantage, especially for high-energy-consuming data centers.
What do you think about this? Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments.