Google has forged a pivotal partnership with Kairos Power, embarking on a venture to harness nuclear energy for its AI data centers. The company is charting a course to energize its AI operations with compact nuclear reactors, with the inaugural reactor anticipated to become operational within the current decade, followed by additional units by 2035. The specifics of the financial aspects and the precise locations of these nuclear facilities remain undisclosed by the internet giant.
Google’s existing infrastructure on the African continent, which includes a data center in Cape Town, South Africa, and connection hubs in Lagos, Nigeria, and Nairobi, Kenya, suggests that Africa could be a contender for hosting one of the forthcoming reactors. This initiative is poised to significantly bolster Google’s AI endeavors across the region, aligning with the firm’s dedication to fostering digital progress in Africa—a market where its services accrued $1.8 billion in revenue in 2023. Moreover, the strategy underscores Google’s ambition to stimulate economic expansion, with AI expected to inject over $30 billion into Africa’s economy.
The venture is a strategic response to the substantial energy requirements of AI technology, with a focus on minimizing carbon emissions. Nuclear power, known for its consistent electricity supply, is gaining traction as a reliable substitute for the variable nature of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. “AI technologies necessitate new sources of electricity. This pact expedites the deployment of innovative technology to satisfy our energy demands in a clean and dependable manner, thereby unleashing AI’s full potential for all,” stated Michael Terrell, Google’s Senior Director for Energy and Climate.
Google’s alliance with Kairos Power underscores its dedication to pioneering energy solutions. Kairos Power is at the forefront of advanced nuclear reactor technology, utilizing molten fluoride salt for cooling instead of conventional water, promising enhanced safety and efficiency. The collaboration will seek approvals from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other pertinent regulatory authorities. Kairos has already made significant progress, securing the first permit in half a century to build a new nuclear reactor.
A prototype reactor is under construction in Tennessee, and its success could pave the way for broader adoption of nuclear power within the tech sector. Other tech behemoths, like Microsoft and Amazon, are also venturing into nuclear energy to power their data centers, signaling a shift towards sustainable energy solutions that can accommodate the growing energy needs of AI and other data-intensive technologies while reducing their environmental impact.
