Google backs nuclear power to support AI energy needs

Google has announced a major step towards securing future energy needs by funding the development of three advanced nuclear power plants in the United States.

The move is aimed at addressing the growing electricity demand driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence technologies.

The deal, signed between Google and nuclear firm Elementl Power, will see the tech company provide early-stage funding for three nuclear facilities, each expected to generate at least 600 megawatts of electricity.

This level of power output is comparable to that of a large traditional power plant.

The collaboration comes at a time when technology companies are under increasing pressure to secure clean and reliable energy sources.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), electricity use by data centers is expected to more than double by 2030. As AI applications continue to expand, ensuring consistent power supply has become a critical challenge.

Amanda Peterson Corio, Google's Global Head of Data Centre Energy, said the move is part of the company’s commitment to helping strengthen power systems.

"Advanced nuclear technology provides reliable, baseload, 24/7 energy" that supports "AI and American innovation," she said.

The partnership will also involve working with utility companies and regulated power entities to identify locations suitable for the nuclear plants.

While specific sites have not been revealed, the companies say site selection and development will be fast-tracked.

Elementl Power will lead the search for appropriate nuclear technologies and construction partners to bring the projects to life.

Although nuclear power projects are expensive and complex, once operational, they deliver steady, zero-carbon electricity, a key requirement for powering data centers and AI platforms around the clock.

The tech industry is increasingly turning to nuclear power to solve its growing energy needs.

Microsoft has already announced plans to use electricity from new nuclear reactors at Three Mile Island — a site that experienced a major nuclear accident in 1979.

Last year, Amazon also signed a deal to tap into nuclear energy for its operations.

Some companies, including Google and Amazon, are also exploring smaller nuclear solutions.

These include Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which are still in the early stages but are seen as easier and potentially faster to deploy than traditional nuclear plants.

Amazon has already invested in SMR startup X-energy, while Google has partnered with Kairos Power to develop SMRs that could be ready as soon as 2030.