Jakarta, INTI – 2, Sept, 2025 The demand for stable and environmentally friendly energy has become a major challenge in supporting the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven data centers. Addressing this issue, Google has chosen Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States, as the site for building a small nuclear reactor named Hermes 2. The reactor is targeted to begin operations in 2030 to supply dedicated electricity for Google’s data centers.
Strategic Partnership with Kairos Power and TVA
The construction of Hermes 2 is part of Google’s collaboration with Kairos Power, a startup developing small nuclear reactors, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a federally owned energy corporation.
Under this agreement, Kairos Power will operate Hermes 2 and sell the electricity produced to TVA. The energy will then be distributed to Google’s data centers located in Tennessee and Alabama.
Hermes 2 is expected to generate 50 megawatts of electricity, enough to support Google services such as cloud hosting, data storage, and various AI-powered applications.
Clean Energy for the Digital Economy
Google emphasized that nuclear energy will serve as a more sustainable solution compared to solar and wind, which depend heavily on weather conditions.
“Collaboration with TVA, Kairos Power, and the Oak Ridge community will accelerate the deployment of innovative nuclear technology and deliver strong, carbon-free energy to the power grid,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, Google representative.
According to Google, this energy source will play a key role in strengthening the foundation of the growing digital economy.
Ambitious Target of Up to 500 Megawatts
Although Hermes 2 will only generate 50 megawatts, Google has far greater ambitions. When the partnership was first announced in October 2024, Google set a goal of developing up to 500 megawatts of power by the end of this decade.
Google committed to purchasing around seven reactors built by Kairos Power, with additional reactors planned through 2035. The total capacity is projected to be sufficient to power a full-scale AI data center.
Preparing Local Talent
Beyond infrastructure, Google is also partnering with the University of Tennessee and local institutions to run training programs. These initiatives aim to prepare the workforce that will eventually operate Hermes 2.
Kairos Power itself uses a molten fluoride salt cooling system, which is considered safer and more efficient compared to traditional water-cooled nuclear power plants. The company obtained regulatory approval last year to build this new type of reactor, with the license valid for the next 50 years.
Conclusion
By building Hermes 2 in Tennessee, Google demonstrates its commitment to providing clean, stable, and sustainable energy to power AI data centers. The 500-megawatt target by 2035 highlights Google’s ambitious step in strengthening its global digital services while contributing to the low-carbon energy transition.
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