Google and nuclear technology firm Kairos Power have announced that Tennessee will host an advanced nuclear power plant intended to supply electricity to the technology giant’s data centres across the U.S. southeast from 2030.
The Oak Ridge-based facility will be the first small modular reactor (SMR) deployed under Google’s corporate deal, unveiled last year, to source nuclear energy from multiple advanced reactors. The agreement will ultimately support 500 megawatts of nuclear capacity—enough to power around 350,000 homes—developed by California-headquartered Kairos Power.
The initial 50-megawatt plant will be constructed under a long-term power purchase agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), providing carbon-free electricity to Google’s operations in Tennessee and neighbouring Alabama.
Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s Global Head of Data Centre Energy, said: “This collaboration with TVA, Kairos Power, and the Oak Ridge community will accelerate the deployment of innovative nuclear technologies and help support the needs of our growing digital economy while also bringing firm carbon-free energy to the electricity system.”
The development comes amid surging energy demand from data centres powering generative artificial intelligence and other energy-intensive technologies, which are driving U.S. electricity consumption to record levels.
The project also marks the first time a U.S. utility has signed a power purchase agreement for so-called generation IV nuclear technology, considered among the most sustainable and safe designs currently under development.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright welcomed the initiative, stating: “The deployment of advanced nuclear reactors is essential to U.S. AI dominance and energy leadership. The Department of Energy has assisted Kairos Power with overcoming technical, operational, and regulatory challenges as part of the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, and DOE will continue to help accelerate the next American nuclear renaissance.”
