Google Inks Nuclear Power Deal

As data centers and artificial intelligence demand more and more electricity, tech giants are looking for new ways to produce power. According to a report by Mark Segal in ESG Today, Google announced an agreement with nuclear technology company Kairos Power to produce up to 500 MW of energy at projects around the country.

“The agreement comes as Google and its tech giant peers look to address the growing emissions impact of their rapidly expanding data center footprints. While Google has set 2030 goals to reach net zero emissions across its operations and value chain, and to reduce 50% of its combined Scope 1, 2, and 3 absolute emissions, on a 2019 basis, the company recently reported that its emissions increased by 13% in 2023, and are up by 48% since 2019, as its growing data center electricity consumption has outpaced its ability to bring carbon free energy projects online.”

According to Segal, “The deal marks the first-ever agreement to purchase nuclear energy from multiple small modular reactors (SMRs), as well as Google’s first advanced nuclear deal, according to Google Senior Director, Energy and Climate, Michael Terrell.” Similarly, Microsoft made a deal to use power from the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, which could be reopened.