Tech
Google selects Tennessee for new modular nuclear reactor
Google selects Tennessee for advanced nuclear reactor to power data centres by 2030 in partnership with TVA and Kairos Power
Google selects Tennessee for advanced nuclear reactor to power data centres by 2030 in partnership with TVA and Kairos Power
– Google will build an advanced nuclear power plant in Tennessee to supply its data centres by 2030.
– The facility will support 500 megawatts of capacity, enough for around 350,000 homes.
Google has chosen Tennessee for an advanced nuclear power plant to supply electricity to its data centres. According to Reuters, the facility, developed with Kairos Power, is set to begin operations in 2030.
This initiative addresses the significant energy demands of technologies such as generative artificial intelligence, which have contributed to record U.S. power consumption. The Tennessee reactor will be the first under Google’s agreement to purchase energy from multiple small modular reactors, supporting 500 megawatts of capacity—enough for about 350,000 homes.
Significant Project
The Oak Ridge plant will operate under a long-term agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority. Amanda Peterson Corio of Google emphasised the project’s role in advancing sustainable nuclear technologies while supporting the digital economy. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright noted that the development of advanced nuclear reactors is crucial for maintaining American leadership in AI and energy. Currently, there are no commercially available advanced nuclear plants in the U.S.
