Google Strikes Deal with Elementl Power to Develop 1.8GW of Nuclear Energy as AI Demands Surge

Google has announced a major partnership with Elementl Power, a nuclear energy startup, to develop three new advanced nuclear reactor sites in the United States.

The agreement highlights the growing emergency of the technology giant to guarantee reliable and carbon -free power for its data centers, because artificial intelligence (AI) leads to unprecedented energy demand in the global infrastructure of the company.

The agreement, announced this week, defines plans for each site to contribute at least 600 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity, totaling 1.8 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear energy. The reactors will be designed to supply the network, with a commercial offset option allowing Google to buy the electricity generated from the sites directly.

“Our collaboration with Elementl Power improves our ability to move at the speed necessary to respond at this time of American AI and innovation,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, world energy manager of the Google data center.

AI pushes to fuel massive energy investments

Google’s energy demand explodes. The company plans to spend $ 75 billion this year only to extend its data center footprint, mainly to support its rapidly evolving ambitions from AI. As AI models become more powerful and high data intensity, technological companies face an in -depth examination of their energy consumption. Nuclear energy, in particular small modular reactors (SMR), has become a promising solution because of its reliability, its carbon -free identification information and its relevance for deployment near data centers.

The agreement with Elementl Power marks a change in Google’s energy strategy to nuclear energy in a more direct and development role. The company will provide capital at an early stage to help Elementl prepare for the three sites, whose specific locations have not yet been disclosed.

Elementl Power between the spotlights

So far, Elementl Power has largely worked under the radar. The company was launched by the Breakwater North infrastructure company and is supported by the Energy Impact Partners investment group. Although he has not yet built a nuclear power plant, his team would include veterans from the nuclear industry.

In a press release, Elementl described itself as “agnostic technological”, which means that it has not yet engaged in specific SMR technology for the expected sites. This approach allows the company to remain flexible and potentially to choose from several technologies of competing reactors, depending on regulatory approvals and performance references.

That said, Kairos Power, one of the most advanced SMR developers, can emerge as a leading competitor. Google has an existing agreement with Kairos Power to buy up to 500 MW from its future reactors. The Kairos demonstration plant should produce 50 MW, with a large -scale commercial deployment reaching 150 MW in two reactors.

Silicon Valley nuclear turn

Google’s nuclear pivot reflects a wider embrace of SMRs in the technological industry. The promise of modular manufacturing, faster deployment deadlines and the possibility of reactors of sites close to high -consumption consumption centers such as data centers have made SMRS an attractive proposal for technological companies that seek to achieve carbon objectives while guaranteeing 24/7 power.

Startups such as Oklo, X-Energy and Kairos Power have all signed agreements with large technological companies or public services, but real progress has been slow. Despite a strong interest in investors and government support, no SMR has yet been completed outside China. In the United States, Nuscale Power was close to the construction of the country’s first SMR before its flagship project collapsed in 2023. His public service partner withdrew after more than more than double, even though Nuscale has reduced his plans in order to recover the agreement.

However, Elementl Power believes that time is ripe for the next chapter of nuclear energy. The company says that it aims to provide more than 10 GW of advanced nuclear capacity in the United States by 2035 and works with public services and regulators to identify the locations and partnerships of viable projects.

A crucial step for Google’s own energy objectives

For Google, the passage in nuclear concerns not only the supply; It is a question of securing lasting and durable energy in a volatile era and eager for energy. The company is committed to operating on 24/7 carbon-free energy by 2030, an ambitious objective which will require it beyond intermittent renewable energies such as solar energy and wind.

The ability to draw from nuclear energy, in particular from modular reactors which can be colocated with data or close centers, represents a key element of this strategy. In the event of success, the partnership with Elementl could point out a new model for the way Big Tech energy sources, the mixture of private capital, new generation infrastructure and advanced technologies to respect an increasing climate and an operational imperative.

The projects remain in the first stages, with development deadlines, types of reactors and finalizing permit processes.