Google is the latest technology company to turn to nuclear energy to address the growing electricity demands driven by its advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).

US technology giant Google announced on Monday that it plans to purchase nuclear power to operate its data centers. The company revealed that it has reached an agreement with California-based Kairos Power to bring small modular reactors (SMR) online by 2030, with additional deployments through 2035.

Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether Google intends to co-finance the construction of the power plants or simply purchase electricity once they are completed.

This move makes Google the latest technology company to consider nuclear energy to meet the high demand for electricity driven by the development of artificial intelligence (AI). During a briefing, a senior director of energy and climate at Google stated, "We believe that nuclear energy has a critical role to play in supporting our clean growth and helping to deliver on the progress of AI. The grid needs these kinds of clean, reliable sources of energy that can support the build-out of these technologies."

Other tech companies, such as Microsoft, have already turned to nuclear power. For instance, Three Mile Island, the site of the worst nuclear accident in the U.S., is slated to restart operations to supply energy to Microsoft.

Kairos Power explained that the SMRs they plan to provide for Google will use molten fluoride salts as a coolant instead of water. According to the company, this design is safer than conventional reactors because the coolant does not boil.

While SMRs are viewed as a pioneering technology and have attracted support from major investors, including Microsoft founder Bill Gates, the technology is still in its infancy and has yet to receive regulatory approval.

US tech companies have recently made strong commitments to climate-neutral operations. In recent years, they have increasingly relied on renewable energy, but AI's growing energy demands have put pressure on this model.

Michael Terrell, a Google manager, stated in a blog post, "This deal will enable up to 500 MW of new 24/7 carbon-free power to US electricity grids and help more communities benefit from clean and affordable nuclear power."

In 2023, 64% of the energy used by Google's data centers and offices was carbon-free, but the company’s overall carbon emissions still rose by 13% in a single year. Energy consumption at data centers has been a major factor in this increase in emissions.