Google Pledges More Support for Nuclear-Powered Data Centres
Oak Ridge, Tennessee, a site once central to the Manhattan Project, is set to become a hub for nuclear innovation again.
Google, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Kairos Power have announced a landmark agreement to deploy a next-generation nuclear reactor, with the aim of powering Google’s regional data centres.
The deal marks the first purchase of electricity from a Generation IV (GEN IV) reactor by a US utility company and signals a shift in how hyperscalers meet the growing energy demands of AI and cloud workloads.
A landmark partnership
Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Google, called the project historic. “Today we’re announcing a historic first for the US energy grid. In a landmark agreement, Google has teamed up with Kairos Power and Tennessee Valley Authority to help deploy the Hermes 2 Plant, a new advanced nuclear reactor, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
“To build clean and resilient energy systems, we need strong communities. This collaboration aims to help to revitalise the Oak Ridge community's legacy of nuclear innovation, create high-paying jobs and provide educational opportunities through partnerships with the University of Tennessee and other local colleges. This work is such a great example of the power in bringing together technology, business and community, three key components to solving the biggest challenges of our time.”
The Hermes 2 plant will deliver 50 MW of nuclear power onto TVA’s grid, with operations due to start in 2030. This clean energy will provide 24/7 support to Google’s data centres in Montgomery County, Tennessee and Jackson County, Alabama.
Supporting hyperscale operations
Amanda Peterson Corio, Energy and Global Infrastructure at Google, highlighted the significance of the project. “Last year, we communicated the start of our collaboration with Kairos Power to unlock up to 500 MW of nuclear power for the US electricity system through multiple small modular reactor deployments.
“We are happy to share that Oak Ridge, TN is the first home for our partnership. The energy generated will directly support our data centers in Montgomery County, Tennessee and Jackson County, Alabama, where we have invested more than US$3.5bn into the communities since 2018.”
This agreement demonstrates how hyperscale operators are securing long-term, low-carbon energy supplies to keep pace with demand for AI and cloud services.
Nuclear as a foundation for energy security
The TVA, which serves 10 million customers across the region, sees this project as a strategic step forward.
Don Moul, CEO of TVA, said: “Nuclear is the bedrock of the future of energy security. Google stepping in and helping shoulder the burden of the cost and risk for the first-of-a-kind nuclear projects not only helps Google get to those solutions, but keeps us from having to burden our customers with development of that technology. So it is not just good for Google. It’s good for TVA’s 10 million customers. It’s good for the United States.”
By partnering with Kairos Power, Google and TVA are not only investing in energy infrastructure but also in the long-term resilience of the US grid.
Advanced nuclear technology
Kairos Power is an engineering company focused on developing safe, affordable nuclear reactors. Unlike conventional reactors, its systems use molten fluoride salt as a coolant rather than water. The salt provides stability, can retain heat efficiently and enhances safety.
Kairos designs its reactors with passive safety features, meaning the system relies on natural physical processes rather than electricity to manage heat in shutdown scenarios.
Michael Terrell, Head of Advanced Energy at Google, linked the project to Oak Ridge’s legacy. “Oak Ridge truly is where America’s nuclear past meets its clean energy future. We are building the next generation of nuclear energy technology on the exact site of the biggest scientific breakthroughs in nuclear history, and there’s no better place to put our stake in the future of nuclear power than here.
“Through this collaboration with Kairos and Tennessee Valley Authority, we’re taking an important step toward rapidly enabling more reliable, affordable nuclear capacity for our electricity system and advancing this clean energy solution for both Google and the world.”
Data centres driving nuclear innovation
With this agreement, Google reinforces its strategy of tying long-term data centre growth to sustainable power sources. Nuclear energy offers constant, carbon-free generation, a feature increasingly critical for hyperscale data centres that must operate around the clock.
By backing the Hermes 2 plant, Google, TVA and Kairos Power have set a precedent for how the technology sector can directly influence energy innovation – positioning nuclear power as a cornerstone of the future data centre landscape.
