Google, TVA Plan Advanced Nuclear Power for Tennessee, Alabama Data Centers

Google has partnered with Kairos Power and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to develop an advanced Generation IV nuclear power plant, Hermes 2, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, set to begin operations by 2030. This plant will initially provide 50MW, scaling to 500MW by 2035, to supply carbon-free electricity to Google's AI data centers in Tennessee and Alabama, addressing surging energy demands driven by AI workloads. The TVA is the first U.S. utility to sign a power purchase agreement for electricity from an advanced nuclear reactor, marking a significant shift toward supporting innovative, firm, and carbon-free energy sources. Kairos Power's small modular reactor design operates with enhanced safety and efficiency features and is part of the Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, although commercial-scale Generation IV reactors remain unproven in the U.S. Google's investment in this nuclear initiative complements its broader strategy to secure reliable and sustainable energy for its digital infrastructure, including previous agreements in nuclear fusion and substantial support for data center expansions. The collaboration aims to accelerate next-generation nuclear technologies, reduce the cost of clean power, and help meet the growing electricity needs of the digital economy while contributing to decarbonization efforts.