In a bid to meet rising energy demands, Google recently announced a deal to source power from small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) by 2030. This marks a first-of-its-kind move, aimed at powering its data centers amidst the energy-intensive growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud storage.
The deal, signed with California-based Kairos Power, outlines plans to bring the first SMR online by 2030, with additional reactors expected by 2035. However, the decision has sparked significant debate over whether nuclear technology is the best solution to meet urgent energy needs.
Google’s agreement with Kairos Power highlights the tech giant’s efforts to address an increasing need for electricity. With the rapid expansion of AI applications and cloud-based services, data centers worldwide are consuming more power than ever before. This has also prompted plans to reopen Pennsylvania’s Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant and extend the operational life of two coal plants in Maryland—moves aimed at managing the rising demand for energy.
While these measures show an urgent response to the tech industry’s energy consumption, they have raised concerns about long-term environmental and economic impacts. Critics argue that relying on nuclear and fossil fuel plants may hinder global efforts to combat climate change.
Johanna Neumann, Senior Director of the Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy at the Environment America Research & Policy Center, was quick to express her concerns. She noted that the promises of nuclear technology, especially SMRs, have a long history of overhype. Citing a recent example, Neumann pointed out the cancellation of a similar SMR project in Utah just last year.
In a statement, Neumann said, "Artificial intelligence may be new, but claims that the next revolutionary nuclear technology will solve our energy problems have been around since we first split the atom. Google’s claims that its new small modular reactors (SMRs) will start coming online in 2030 stand in contrast to a long history of overhyped nuclear promises."
She emphasized that while SMRs may offer potential, the risks associated with their development and implementation are too high, given the pressing timeline to combat climate change.
Neumann’s concerns are not isolated. Many environmental advocates are urging companies like Google to pivot away from energy sources that pose environmental risks and instead focus on more sustainable options. Renewable energy alternatives, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, are safer, cheaper, and quicker to develop than nuclear energy, making them a more immediate solution to the energy crisis.
In her statement, Neumann called for Big Tech to recommit to energy efficiency and renewables. "It’s time for Big Tech to recommit to solutions that work and pose less risk to our environment and health, including making data centers as energy efficient as possible and committing them to be powered by new renewable energy sources."
Google’s decision has reignited the broader debate over the best way to meet the world’s growing energy demands while minimizing the risks to the environment and public health. With renewable energy technologies advancing rapidly and becoming more cost-effective, the shift to clean energy solutions is increasingly seen as essential for a sustainable future.
As the global demand for energy continues to soar, particularly within the tech sector, companies must balance their innovative pursuits with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. While nuclear energy offers some potential benefits, it also carries significant risks, including delays, high costs, and environmental hazards.
Renewable energy sources, by contrast, provide an immediate and scalable solution. By investing in renewables and improving energy efficiency, tech companies like Google can not only meet their growing power needs but also contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
