Tech Giant Google Bankrolls Trio Of Nuclear Plants In Bold AI Power Play

Google is investing in three nuclear power plants to fuel its growing AI operations. The tech giant partnered with Elementl Power to build facilities that each produce 600 megawatts of energy. This move supports Google’s goal of using carbon-free energy around the clock by 2030. Critics call it “greenwashing,” but the company insists it’s necessary for sustainable AI development. The investment raises questions about big tech’s expanding influence in energy sectors.

As the demand for power continues to grow with AI technology, Google has made a bold move into nuclear energy. The tech company announced on May 8, 2025, a new partnership with Elementl Power to support three advanced nuclear energy projects across the United States.

Google will provide early-stage capital to prepare three potential sites for nuclear development. Each site is expected to produce at least 600 megawatts of power capacity. Once the plants are built and operating, Google will have the option to purchase the power they generate.

This isn’t Google’s first step into nuclear energy. The company previously partnered with Kairos Power for small advanced nuclear projects totaling 500 megawatts. These investments come as Google faces growing energy demands from its AI operations.

Google’s emissions increased by 13% in 2023 and 48% since 2019, mainly due to expanding data center electricity needs. The company aims to operate on carbon-free energy 24/7 by 2030 across all its locations. Nuclear power provides the reliable, constant energy needed for AI systems. This approach differs from hydroelectric energy which, despite producing zero-carbon electricity, creates environmental concerns like ecosystem disruption and community displacement.

Elementl Power, based in South Carolina, plans to bring significant nuclear capacity online by 2025. The company has set an ambitious goal to introduce over 10 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity in the next decade. The collaboration with Google will strengthen power grids while supporting innovation in artificial intelligence. Elementl will work with utility companies to advance these projects.

Nuclear energy currently provides about 18% of America’s power. The industry is promoting advanced nuclear technology as a solution for safe, clean baseload power that operates around the clock. Other tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon have also sought nuclear power deals to support their AI operations.

Critics have called Google’s nuclear investments an attempt to “greenwash” its massive AI energy consumption. However, Google maintains these investments will help meet its 2030 goals of net zero emissions and reducing absolute emissions by 50% compared to 2019 levels. Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s senior lead for energy development, emphasized that these projects are essential to meet AI energy demands as the technology continues to evolve.