Amazon has signed three new agreements to support the development of nuclear energy projects, including the construction of several Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which offer a compact footprint and faster build times than traditional reactors. SMRs can be built closer to the grid and brought online more rapidly to meet rising energy needs.
Amazon informed that it has met its goal of matching 100% of the electricity consumed by its global operations with renewable energy—seven years ahead of its 2030 target and is now deepening investments in renewables, while exploring additional carbon-free energy sources. Among these is nuclear power, a reliable and scalable solution with a decades-long track record of providing safe, carbon-free energy globally.
“Nuclear is a safe source of carbon-free energy that can help power our operations and meet the growing demands of our customers, while helping us progress toward our Climate Pledge commitment to be net-zero carbon across our operations by 2040. One of the fastest ways to address climate change is by transitioning our society to carbon-free energy sources, and nuclear energy is both carbon-free and able to scale—which is why it’s an important area of investment for Amazon. Our agreements will encourage the construction of new nuclear technologies that will generate energy for decades to come,” said Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Among the projects is an agreement with Energy Northwest in Washington, enabling the construction of four advanced SMRs. These reactors, with an initial capacity of 320 megawatts (MW), could scale to 960 MW—enough to power more than 770,000 U.S. homes. The project will help meet Pacific Northwest energy needs by the early 2030s. Amazon is also investing in X-energy, a leading developer of SMRs, to support over five gigawatts of new nuclear energy projects using its advanced technology.
Additionally, in Virginia, Amazon has partnered with Dominion Energy to explore the development of an SMR project near Dominion’s North Anna nuclear power station, which could generate at least 300 MW of power. With regional power demands projected to rise by 85% in the next 15 years, this project aims to meet future energy needs sustainably.
Amazon is also co-locating a data centre facility at Talen Energy’s nuclear site in Pennsylvania, where carbon-free energy will power its operations. This initiative will help preserve existing reactors and create jobs in the local community.
These nuclear energy projects are expected to provide economic benefits, including 1,000 temporary construction jobs and over 100 permanent positions once operational in Washington. In Pennsylvania, the Talen Energy project will not only create jobs but also enhance local utility infrastructure, while preserving 900 existing positions.
Previously, Google also signed a corporate agreement to purchase nuclear energy from multiple small modular reactors (SMRs) being developed by Kairos Power.
ESG Post has earlier reported on how nuclear power is being reevaluated as a pivotal clean energy source in the global push toward decarbonisation and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
