Google and Kairos Power are partnering to build small modular nuclear reactors and provide power to the electric grid by 2030. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) agreed to purchase power from the startup’s 50-megawatt plant.
The Kairos Hermes 2 reactor will generate enough electricity to power about 36,000 homes while helping Google meet carbon-free energy goals for its data centers in Tennessee and Alabama, according to a press release from Google. TVA became the first American utility to sign a power purchase agreement with an advanced nuclear company, marking a potential turning point for the industry.
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The deal is the latest in a series of announcements between nuclear power companies and Big Tech. The tech industry shoulders some upfront costs while utilities such as the TVA provide revenue through long-term contracts. As artificial intelligence drives spiking demand for electricity, nuclear power stands to benefit.
What makes this reactor different?
Kairos Power’s technology diverges significantly from traditional nuclear plants currently operating in the United States. The Hermes 2 reactor uses liquid salt as coolant instead of light water, allowing operation at lower pressure than systems in conventional reactors, according to CNBC.
The lower pressure design enables thinner, less expensive materials and provides inherent safety advantages. At 50 megawatts, the plant is roughly 20 times smaller than typical U.S. nuclear reactors that average 1,000 megawatts in output, according to CNBC.
Kairos plans to increase output to 75 megawatts when the reactor reaches commercial scale, CEO Mike Laufer told CNBC. The company aims to create a standardized design that can reduce costs for future deployments while developing the manufacturing infrastructure needed for broader rollout.
Why is Oak Ridge significant for nuclear development?
The TVA selected Oak Ridge for its deep nuclear heritage dating back to the Manhattan Project during World War II. Oak Ridge National Laboratory has maintained a leading role in nuclear science for over eight decades.
Kairos received a construction permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in November 2024 and must obtain an operating license before the plant can start operations in 2030. The reactor will be built near Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the Heritage Center, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.
The location positions east Tennessee as a potential regional hub for nuclear innovation and construction. Kairos and Google are exploring options for deploying additional reactors at the same site in a cost-efficient series that could deliver more energy in coming years.
