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🗞️ Driving the news: Google has signed an agreement with nuclear developer Elementl Power to fund the early-stage development of three new advanced reactor sites, each expected to generate at least 600 megawatts of power
• This move aims to secure reliable, 24/7 clean energy to meet the soaring electricity demand from Google's growing data center operations, particularly amid the AI boom
🔭 The context: The partnership reflects a broader trend of tech giants investing in nuclear energy to address escalating power needs and sustainability goals
• Google (see sustainability performance) previously collaborated with Kairos Power for future small modular reactor projects
• Elementl Power, established in 2022, is currently technology-agnostic and will select reactor designs based on technological maturity closer to construction phases
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Expanding nuclear power could provide substantial, carbon-free baseload energy critical for decarbonizing energy-intensive sectors like cloud computing and AI
• However, early-stage nuclear projects carry financial, regulatory, and technological risks, and success depends on overcoming long permitting timelines and public acceptance challenges
⏭️ What's next: Elementl Power will focus on securing permits, transmission interconnections, and finalizing reactor technologies before construction begins
• Google retains the option to purchase power from the completed sites
• Broader energy infrastructure investments are expected as tech companies and utilities anticipate the need for 50 gigawatts of new power capacity by 2027 to support AI and digital growth
💬 One quote: "Innovative partnerships like this are necessary to mobilize the capital required to build new nuclear projects, which are critical to deliver safe, affordable and clean baseload power and help companies advance their long-term net zero goals." — Chris Colbert, CEO of Elementl Power
📈 One stat: Google and Elementl's project could contribute to Elementl's goal of adding 10 gigawatts of nuclear capacity to the grid by 2035
See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of Constellation Energy Partners and its peers Exelon, and Urenco
Click for more news covering the latest on nuclear energy
