Background

Amazon has highlighted the growing energy demands of its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing operations, prompting the company to explore cleaner power sources. After signing agreements last year to support nuclear energy projects, Amazon disclosed details of its upcoming small modular reactor (SMR) initiative in Richland, Washington.

Project Details

The project is a collaboration between Amazon, Energy Northwest—the utilities agency for Washington state—and X‑energy, a developer of SMR technology. The plan centers on the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility, where the SMR’s compact design will occupy a smaller footprint than traditional nuclear plants while delivering up to 960 megawatts of power per unit. In its first phase, Amazon intends to help develop four SMR units, together providing an initial capacity of 320 megawatts. The facility is designed with the flexibility to expand to a total of twelve units, which would maximize the site’s energy output.

Construction of the SMR complex is expected to start sometime before the end of the decade, and the facility aims to begin operations in the 2030s. By leveraging modular nuclear technology, Amazon hopes to secure a reliable, low‑carbon energy source to sustain its rapidly expanding AI workloads and data center infrastructure.

Industry Context

Amazon is not alone among major technology companies in turning to nuclear power for AI. In October of the previous year, Google partnered with Kairos Power to develop seven SMRs across the United States. Shortly thereafter, Meta announced plans for an AI data center powered by nuclear energy, though the project encountered a delay due to the discovery of a rare bee species.

These moves reflect a broader trend of tech firms seeking to diversify their energy portfolios and mitigate the environmental impact of high‑intensity computing. Small modular reactors, with their scalable and potentially quicker deployment timelines, are emerging as a viable option for companies that require large, steady power supplies while aiming to reduce carbon emissions.

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