The proposed plants are smaller in scale compared to conventional nuclear facilities, such as the Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant in Georgia, which began operations in 2023 with a 4,500 MW capacity across four reactors. The agreement comes amid rising energy demands, particularly from data centers, with McKinsey noting an increase from 30 MW in 2015 to 200 MW in 2024, driven significantly by artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure.
Elementl Power, established in 2022, is led by CEO Christopher Colbert, a former NuScale Power executive, and focuses on developing small modular reactors (SMRs). The company, which has yet to complete any projects, describes itself as a “technologically neutral” developer, prioritizing flexible and innovative nuclear solutions.
This marks Google’s second nuclear energy partnership in six months, following an October 2024 agreement with Kairos Power to develop molten salt reactors. The Register’s analysts noted that while such initiatives by tech companies are ambitious, they may not fully address the projected energy shortfall by 2027. Google’s energy needs are growing rapidly, with its 2024 report indicating a 13% rise in greenhouse gas emissions from AI operations over the past year and a 48% increase since 2019.
Alphabet, Google’s parent company, plans to invest $75 billion in 2025 to expand its data centers, further intensifying energy demands. This investment underscores the challenge of balancing sustainability goals with the energy requirements of advanced technologies like AI.
The collaboration with Elementl Power reflects Google’s commitment to exploring clean energy sources to support its expanding infrastructure. By investing in nuclear projects, the company aims to secure reliable, low-carbon energy for its operations while contributing to the development of innovative reactor technologies. The focus on SMRs highlights the potential for scalable, efficient nuclear solutions to meet future energy needs.
This partnership positions Google as a key player in the transition to sustainable energy, with nuclear power playing a critical role in its strategy. As Elementl Power advances its projects, the agreement could pave the way for broader adoption of compact, next-generation reactors in addressing global energy challenges.
