Just weeks after Microsoft said it will buy nuclear power to supply its AI-focused data centers, Google announced Oct. 14 it is entering into a deal it claims is the first U.S. corporate energy purchase from small modular reactors now in development.  

Google said it has a power purchase agreement with California-based developer Kairos Power LLC for the power set to come from small sites that would generate up to 500 MW of new nuclear power by 2035—with the first reactor coming online as soon as 2030. The technology giant cited the need for new sources of zero-carbon power for its data centers, allowing Kairos to commit to building multiple small reactor projects with units rated from 50 MW to 75 MW. Small modular reactors put out considerably less power individually than conventional nuclear power plants, which can generate 1,000 MW or more.