First-ever U.S. utility purchase of power from a next-generation nuclear reactor
Hermes 2 Plant will deliver 50 MW of clean energy to TVA’s grid starting in 2030
Project expected to strengthen Oak Ridge’s nuclear legacy and create high-paying jobs
In a landmark move for U.S. energy, Google has partnered with Kairos Power and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to advance the first deployment of Kairos Power’s advanced nuclear reactor — the Hermes 2 Plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
The power purchase agreement marks the first time a U.S. utility will buy electricity from a Generation IV nuclear reactor, delivering 50 MW of carbon-free power to TVA’s grid beginning in 2030. This energy will help support Google’s data centers in Montgomery County, Tennessee, and Jackson County, Alabama.
Last year, Google began a long-term collaboration with Kairos Power to unlock up to 500 MW of advanced nuclear capacity by 2035. The Hermes 2 project represents the first step in this multi-phase plan, creating what Google calls “a three-party solution where energy customers, utilities, and technology developers work together to advance new technologies that can help meet the world’s growing energy needs with reliable, affordable capacity.”
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Oak Ridge, once central to nuclear innovation, is poised to reclaim that role through this initiative. The project includes partnerships with the University of Tennessee and other regional institutions to build workforce talent. Local training programs will prepare operators and engineers for high-paying jobs in the nuclear sector.
“This work is such a great example of the power in bringing together technology, business, and community, three key components to solving the biggest challenges of our time,” Google said in its announcement.
For Oak Ridge, the deal is more than an energy milestone — it is an economic and innovation revival. With Hermes 2, the region will once again be at the forefront of nuclear technology, linking its historic role to the next generation of clean energy.
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