The news:
- Google has entered into a strategic agreement, signing a deal with Kairos Power to use nuclear energy for its artificial intelligence (AI) data centres.
- The tech giant plans to power its AI operations with small nuclear reactors, aiming for the first reactor to go online within this decade and more by 2035.
- The search engine behemoth has yet to reveal the financial terms of the agreement or the exact locations of the plants.
Google’s extensive infrastructure in Africa, including a data centre in Cape Town, South Africa, and interconnect points in Lagos, Nigeria, and Nairobi, Kenya, positions the continent as a potential site for one of the future reactors.
This could play an important role in driving Google's AI operations throughout the region, in line with the company's commitment to digital advancement in Africa, where its services generated $1.8 billion in 2023.
The move also highlights the company’s goal of supporting economic growth, with AI projected to contribute over $30 billion to Africa's economy
This development addresses the enormous energy demands of AI technologies while keeping carbon emissions low. Nuclear energy, with its ability to provide round-the-clock electricity, is emerging as a stable alternative to renewable sources like solar and wind, which are intermittent.
"The grid needs new electricity sources to support AI technologies. This agreement helps accelerate a new technology to meet energy needs cleanly and reliably, and unlock the full potential of AI for everyone," Michael Terrell, Google’s Senior Director for Energy and Climate, explained.
The partnership with Kairos Power showcases Google’s commitment to innovative energy solutions.
Kairos Power specialises in advanced nuclear reactors, using molten fluoride salt as a coolant instead of traditional water. This technology is expected to provide a safer and more efficient energy option.
The companies will need regulatory approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other relevant local regulatory bodies, with Kairos already making strides by receiving the first permit in 50 years to construct a new nuclear reactor.
A demonstration reactor is currently being built in Tennessee, and its success could lead to further developments in the tech industry’s use of nuclear power.
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Tech giants are increasingly exploring nuclear energy. Microsoft recently signed an agreement to restart the Three Mile Island nuclear facility in Pennsylvania, while Amazon has similar plans to power its data centres with nuclear energy.
This trend reflects a growing demand for sustainable energy solutions that can meet the increasing consumption demands of AI and other data-intensive technologies while lowering their carbon footprint.
