Google has announced a new collaboration with Elementl Power, a South Carolina-based nuclear project developer, to invest in three advanced nuclear energy projects. This partnership aligns with Google's broader efforts to curb its environmental impact, particularly as the company’s data centers continue to expand and consume increasing amounts of electricity. Despite setting ambitious 2030 goals to achieve net-zero emissions across its operations and value chain, and to reduce its combined Scope 1, 2, and 3 absolute emissions by 50% from their 2019 levels, Google's emissions increased by 13% in 2023, marking a 48% rise since 2019. This uptick is largely attributed to the rapid growth of its data center electricity consumption, which has outpaced the company's efforts to deploy carbon-free energy solutions. To meet its goal of operating on 24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE) by 2030, Google previously entered an agreement with Kairos Power in 2022. This deal aims to deploy a fleet of small advanced nuclear power projects across the United States, capable of providing up to 500 megawatts (MW) of carbon-free energy. The new partnership with Elementl Power builds on this commitment, with Google investing early-stage development capital to advance three projects, each expected to generate at least 600 MW of power capacity. Amanda Peterson Corio, Global Head of Data Center Energy at Google, emphasized the importance of this investment: "Google is dedicated to supporting projects that fortify the power grids where we operate. Advanced nuclear technology provides a reliable, baseload, 24/7 energy source, which is crucial as we navigate the demands of AI and American innovation." Earlier this year, Google and Meta joined other major corporations in signing a pledge to support the goal of tripling global nuclear energy capacity by 2050. The pledge highlights the expectation of significant increases in energy demand across various industries in the coming years, asserting that tripling nuclear capacity will enhance energy resiliency and security, while ensuring a continuous and stable supply of clean energy. Elementl Power, established in 2023, specializes in the development, financing, and management of nuclear power projects, leveraging next-generation technology that it claims offers the safest form of energy generation. With Google's financial backing, Elementl aims to bring more than 10 gigawatts of nuclear power online in the U.S. by 2035. The company will work closely with regulated utilities, independent power producers, and technology suppliers to achieve this goal. Chris Colbert, Chairman and CEO of Elementl Power, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: "Innovative collaborations such as this are vital to secure the capital needed for building new nuclear projects. These projects are essential for delivering safe, affordable, and clean baseload power and helping companies like Google achieve their long-term net-zero targets. We are eager to work with Google to expedite the delivery of carbon-free electricity to the grid." This collaborative effort underscores the tech industry's growing recognition of the role advanced nuclear energy can play in addressing climate challenges and ensuring a sustainable future. By supporting cutting-edge nuclear technologies, Google and its peers are taking significant steps toward decarbonizing their operations and contributing to global environmental goals.