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OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE — August 18, 2025 — Google has announced plans to deploy its first small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as part of a landmark collaboration with California-based Kairos Power and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The project is designed to supply clean, reliable energy to Google’s data centers in the southeastern United States, beginning in 2030.
The initiative marks a significant step in Google’s broader strategy to meet growing energy demands from artificial intelligence and cloud computing infrastructure while advancing its commitment to carbon-free operations.
🔋 Project Overview
- The reactor, known as the Hermes 2 Demonstration Plant, will be built in Oak Ridge, a city historically linked to nuclear innovation.
- Under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA), TVA will buy electricity from Kairos Power and deliver it to Google’s data centers in Montgomery County, Tennessee, and Jackson County, Alabama.
- The initial deployment will generate 50 megawatts (MW) of nuclear energy, with plans to scale up to 500 MW through multiple SMR installations.
🌱 Clean Energy and Strategic Goals
Google’s Global Head of Data Center Energy, Amanda Peterson Corio, emphasized the importance of the partnership:
“This collaboration with TVA, Kairos Power, and the Oak Ridge community will accelerate the deployment of innovative nuclear technologies and help support the needs of our growing digital economy while also bringing firm carbon-free energy to the electricity system”.
The project represents the first time a U.S. utility has entered into a PPA for Generation IV nuclear technology, which is considered safer and more sustainable than earlier designs.
🧠 National Significance
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright praised the initiative, calling it essential to maintaining American leadership in both energy and artificial intelligence.
“The deployment of advanced nuclear reactors is essential to U.S. AI dominance and energy leadership,” Wright said, noting that the Department of Energy has supported Kairos Power through its Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program.
🏗️ Economic and Community Impact
The Oak Ridge site is expected to become a hub for nuclear innovation, with workforce development programs in partnership with the University of Tennessee and other institutions. The project aims to create high-paying jobs and expand local expertise in nuclear engineering and plant operations.
Google’s investment in SMRs reflects a growing trend among tech companies seeking scalable, low-carbon energy solutions to power increasingly energy-intensive operations.
