Google and Elementl Power Partner to Develop Advanced Nuclear Power Plants
Tech giant Google has entered into a partnership with nuclear developer Elementl Power to develop three advanced nuclear power plants in the United States, as reported by the Straits Times. This collaboration comes as technology companies, grappling with the rising energy demands of the generative AI revolution, explore new power sources to meet their expanding needs.
Advanced Nuclear Projects to Boost Power Capacity
The partnership will see Google provide early-stage development capital for three nuclear projects, each designed to generate at least 600 megawatts of power, roughly equivalent to a large standard power plant.
With AI driving an exponential rise in data center energy consumption, the need for stable and sustainable energy solutions has become critical. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has projected that electricity consumption by data centers could more than double by 2030, making this collaboration a crucial step in meeting the demand.
Google’s Commitment to Reliable, Clean Energy
Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s global head of data center energy, emphasized that advanced nuclear technology offers reliable, baseload, 24/7 energy that supports both AI and broader innovation.
The collaboration will also involve working with utility and regulated power partners to identify suitable locations for the new plants
The collaboration between Google and Elementl Power highlights a larger trend of tech companies seeking innovative solutions to meet their growing energy needs.
Microsoft, for example, plans to source energy from new reactors at Three Mile Island, the site of America’s infamous 1979 nuclear accident. Amazon has also signed agreements in 2024 to use nuclear power for its data centers.
Also read: Invenergy Awards $1.7B for Grain Belt Express to Power AI Growth
The Rise of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Elementl Power will evaluate nuclear technology providers and construction partners as part of the project, with plans to select suitable sites for accelerated development. Although nuclear power plants are expensive and politically complex to build, they offer consistent, zero-carbon electricity once operational.
To address the growing need for flexible and smaller-scale nuclear options, many tech companies are turning to Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). While SMRs remain experimental, they offer a compact and potentially quicker-to-deploy alternative to traditional nuclear plants.
Google has already partnered with Kairos Power to develop SMRs, with the goal of having them operational by 2030. Similarly, Amazon has invested directly in the SMR startup X-energy.
