Google and nuclear site developer Elementl Power have announced a collaboration to develop three advanced nuclear reactors across multiple sites. This new venture aims to meet the growing power demands driven by Google’s expanding AI and data center operations. Google plans to invest $75 billion this year in building data center capacity, and with this deal, it intends to add at least 600 megawatts of generating capacity at each of the three sites.
which had been operating under the radar until now, has experience in the nuclear industry but has not yet developed any power plants. Backed by Energy Impact Partners and founded by Breakwater North, Elementl is taking a “technology agnostic” approach and has not yet decided which small modular reactor (SMR) company it will partner with to develop the projects, known for its existing deal with Google, is seen as a likely frontrunner.
SMRs are typically smaller than traditional nuclear reactors, with a maximum capacity of around 300 megawatts. In comparison, the Vogtle Unit 4 nuclear power plant in Georgia generates over 1.1 gigawatts of electricity, nearly four times the size of a large SMR. The potential for SMRs to be mass-produced and sited closer to data centers makes them a promising option for Silicon Valley companies like Google.
Despite the growing interest in SMRs, no SMR has been built outside of China. One startup, NuScale, has faced challenges in its efforts to build an SMR after its utility partner canceled its contract due to escalating costs.
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