August 19, 2025

Get ready, Tennessee! The state famous for Jack Daniel’s whiskey, mouth-watering Memphis barbecue, and the Great Smoky Mountains is now making headlines for a high-tech reason. Google has partnered with the nuclear startup Kairos Power to build an advanced nuclear reactor called Hermes 2 right here in Tennessee. This isn’t just any power plant. Scheduled to connect to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) grid by 2030, Hermes 2 will deliver carbon-free power—and here’s the kicker—it will supply electricity to Google’s massive data centers in Tennessee and Alabama. Imagine AI whizzing through clouds powered by this clean, smart energy source! Why is this such a big deal? The US nuclear scene has been stuck in a rut for years. The last big project, Georgia’s Plant Vogtle, was a money pit—running $18 billion over budget and opening seven years late. Problems like these even pushed the nuclear giant Westinghouse into bankruptcy. But now, fresh winds are blowing with Google and Kairos Power daring to bring new life to nuclear energy. Under a historic agreement, TVA will buy up to 50 megawatts from Hermes 2—that’s enough to power 36,000 homes! CNBC calls it the first time ever a US utility has signed a deal to buy electricity from an advanced nuclear reactor. It’s a bold new chapter. This project tackles a huge problem: the massive cost and risk of building nuclear plants. Instead of passing the buck to taxpayers or utilities, Google and Kairos are footing the bill to build it. Meanwhile, TVA has a secure, long-term deal to buy power—smart and safe. Kairos Power and other startups believe small, efficient reactors like Hermes 2 avoid the headaches of traditional plants. Approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in November 2024, Hermes 2 aims to start work soon and go live by 2030, pending its operating license. For Google, this is not just about power—it’s part of a bigger clean energy strategy. With AI demanding more and more juice, the tech giant needs reliable, carbon-free energy. Google has already ordered 500 megawatts of future capacity from Kairos, hoping to roll out even more clean nuclear power by 2035. So, move over whiskey and barbecue! Tennessee is gearing up to be the hotbed of futuristic, green power with Google and Kairos lighting the way.

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Tags: Google, Kairos power, Nuclear reactor, Tennessee, Clean energy, Advanced nuclear,