Introduction Of Big Tech
Artificial intelligence is changing the energy game. After years of flat electricity demand in the U.S., AI has flipped the switch. Now, data centers need more power than ever — and Big Tech is scrambling to lock in reliable energy sources to keep their systems humming. Big Tech
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Enter nuclear fission.
While nuclear power has been a tough sell for decades, mostly due to old reactors, cost overruns, and public concern, it’s suddenly back in the spotlight. And no, we’re not talking about fusion — that still-theoretical magic trick that hasn’t yet managed to generate more energy than it uses. This is good old fission, the same basic process used in all operating nuclear plants today, just with a fresh twist. Big Tech
Why Big Tech Is Into Nuclear Now
The appeal for tech giants? Predictable, round-the-clock energy. Nuclear doesn’t care if it’s windy or sunny — it just keeps running. That’s a dream scenario for data centers, which need consistent uptime to handle those massive AI workloads.
Even more exciting are the new designs rolling out: small modular reactors, or SMRs. These aren’t your grandpa’s giant nuclear plants. SMRs are compact, factory-built, and scalable — so instead of one massive site, companies can deploy multiple smaller units as needed. They promise to be faster to build, cheaper to maintain, and easier to regulate.
No SMRs have been built in the U.S. just yet, but that hasn’t stopped Big Tech from making moves. Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Google have all invested in — or signed power deals with — startups leading the next wave of nuclear fission innovation.
Here are the most promising nuclear fission startups backed by tech’s biggest names:
Kairos Power
Backed by: Google
Google has committed to buying 500 megawatts of electricity from Kairos by 2035. The company plans to have its first reactor online by 2030.
Kairos’ SMRs use molten fluoride salt to cool and transfer heat. Thanks to the salt’s high boiling point, the system operates at low pressure — which could make it safer. The reactors also use durable fuel pebbles coated in ceramic and carbon to withstand extreme heat.
Based in Alameda, California, Kairos scored a $629 million award from the U.S. government, including $303 million from the Department of Energy. In late 2024, they got the green light to start building two 35-megawatt test reactors in Tennessee. The full-scale commercial units will hit 75 megawatts each.
Oklo
Backed by: Sam Altman, DCVC, Draper Associates, Mithril Capital
Oklo made headlines when OpenAI CEO Sam Altman took the company public via a reverse merger in 2023. Altman was also chairman until recently, stepping down while OpenAI began energy supply talks with Oklo.
Their SMR design is based on a U.S. Department of Energy prototype and uses liquid metal as coolant. It’s engineered to reduce waste — a major plus in the nuclear world.
That said, the path hasn’t been smooth. Oklo’s first license application was denied in 2022, and the company plans to refile in 2025. Still, they’re pushing ahead — they’ve already inked a deal to supply 12 gigawatts to data center operator Switch by 2044.
Saltfoss (formerly Seaborg)
Backed by: Bill Gates, Peter Thiel, David Helgason
Saltfoss is going maritime. Instead of building land-based reactors, this startup is designing “Power Barges” — ships with two to eight molten salt-cooled reactors onboard.
They’ve raised nearly $60 million, including a $6 million seed round with some serious names attached: Gates, Thiel, and Unity’s co-founder David Helgason. Saltfoss has a shipbuilding agreement with Samsung Heavy Industries to make the floating reactors a reality.
TerraPower
Backed by: Bill Gates, Khosla Ventures, CRV, ArcelorMittal
TerraPower, founded by Bill Gates, is building a next-gen reactor called Natrium — a larger, sodium-cooled design that also includes molten salt energy storage.
In June 2024, TerraPower broke ground on its first plant in Wyoming. The Natrium reactor is designed to produce 345 megawatts, putting it in between traditional plants and SMRs in terms of size.
Its standout feature is the molten salt storage. Even when grid demand is low, the reactor keeps generating heat and stores it for later use — allowing it to operate efficiently and respond to peak energy demands.
X-Energy
Backed by: Amazon (Climate Pledge Fund)
X-Energy secured a $700 million Series C-1 in 2024, led by Amazon’s climate investment arm. At the same time, they announced plans to deploy 300 megawatts of nuclear capacity in the Pacific Northwest and Virginia.
Their Xe-100 reactor bucks current trends by using a high-temperature gas-cooled system — a design largely shelved in the West. It pushes helium through 200,000 graphite-coated fuel pebbles to spin turbines. The goal: more efficient, more compact power.
Final Thoughts
Big Tech’s nuclear play isn’t about nostalgia for Cold War-era energy. It’s a calculated move to meet skyrocketing electricity demands with steady, low-carbon power that scales. And if even half of these SMRs live up to their hype, the energy landscape could look very different by the 2030s.
The race is on — and the reactors are (finally) coming.
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