In a strategic move to power its expanding data infrastructure with zero-carbon energy, Google has partnered with nuclear technology company Kairos Power and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to bring next-generation nuclear energy to its U.S. data centers. The collaboration centers around the upcoming Hermes 2 nuclear facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which will provide round-the-clock clean electricity to support Google’s operations in the region.

Hermes 2 Plant to Supply 50 MW of Clean Energy by 2030

As part of the agreement, TVA will purchase up to 50 megawatts of power from the Hermes 2 reactor and deliver the clean energy attributes to Google’s data centers located in Tennessee and Alabama. Originally planned to deliver 28 MW, the plant’s design has been upgraded to achieve a 50 MW output from a single high-efficiency reactor. Operations are slated to begin in 2030, setting the stage for one of the earliest commercial applications of advanced nuclear power in the United States.

A Step Toward Google’s 2035 Nuclear Energy Goal

This deployment is part of a larger initiative between Google and Kairos Power to develop 500 MW of advanced nuclear capacity by 2035. The companies began working together in October 2024 to advance small modular reactor technologies and scale up carbon-free energy solutions to match Google’s increasing electricity demands.

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Mike Laufer, CEO and Co-Founder of Kairos Power, emphasized that this collaboration accelerates the path to commercial deployment. He noted the importance of aligning technology developers, utility providers, and corporate energy buyers to drive innovation at scale. According to Laufer, Hermes 2 represents a turning point not only for Kairos Power but also for the nuclear industry’s efforts to re-establish leadership in clean energy.

TVA and Google Collaborate to Share Costs and Benefits

Don Moul, CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, pointed out that this partnership serves as a model for spreading the financial risk of developing first-of-its-kind energy projects. While Google benefits from securing reliable clean power, TVA’s broader customer base is shielded from the cost of pioneering technology. Moul described nuclear as the foundation for long-term energy security and called the initiative a win for TVA’s ten million customers and for national energy independence.

A New Model for Clean Energy Leadership and Local Impact

The collaboration seeks not only to decarbonize Google's operations but also to boost local economies. Oak Ridge, already steeped in nuclear innovation history, will host expanded operations for Kairos Power, adding jobs and research activity to the region. By connecting corporate climate goals with utility-scale infrastructure, the project creates a blueprint for future clean energy partnerships.

Google’s Emissions Progress and Remaining Challenges

The announcement comes on the heels of Google’s latest environmental progress update, which revealed a 12 percent reduction in carbon emissions from its data center operations in 2024. This was achieved despite a 27 percent surge in electricity demand, driven largely by AI and cloud computing workloads.

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A major contributor to this progress was a leap in energy efficiency. Google reported that its data centers now produce over six times more computing output per unit of electricity than they did five years ago. However, the company also acknowledged that its overall carbon footprint continued to rise last year. Scope 3 emissions, which include upstream supply chain emissions, grew by more than 20 percent, offsetting the gains made through Scope 2 reductions related to purchased electricity.

Looking Ahead: Advanced Nuclear as a Scalable Climate Solution

As Google pushes toward its goal of operating on carbon-free energy around the clock by 2030, advanced nuclear power offers a scalable, dispatchable solution that complements variable renewables like solar and wind. The Hermes 2 project could become a cornerstone of this vision, offering a clean energy supply that keeps pace with the tech giant’s rapid growth.

By combining the expertise of a utility, a nuclear innovator, and a global technology leader, this partnership aims to reimagine the role of nuclear in powering the digital economy reliable, clean, and community-driven.

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