Amazon joins nuclear push to power AI data centres
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The news: Amazon is joining the nuclear bandwagon with three new agreements to support the development of nuclear energy projects, including an investment in US-based X-energy as part of a USD500 million fundraising round that includes Citadel’s Ken Griffin and others.
The context: X-energy is a US nuclear developer backed by chemical giant Dow, aiming to deploy small modular reactors (SMRs) for clean energy solutions.
Amazon will deploy the SMRs to generate low-carbon power for its data centres and contribute to its climate and sustainability goals, it said in a statement.
Other tech giants like Microsoft and Google have also signed similar nuclear energy deals, driven by surging demand from AI data centres.
The numbers: The goal is to bring more than 5 gigawatts of SMR energy online by 2039.
Amazon is also working on projects with Dominion Energy and Energy Northwest, targeting SMR projects in Virginia and Washington state.
Critics argue that SMRs may prove too expensive and point to unresolved issues around nuclear waste disposal. Nonetheless, the tech sector is pushing for nuclear solutions as part of its clean energy transition.
What they said: “This collaboration between Amazon and X-energy is a significant step toward accelerating advanced nuclear technologies that can help us bring new sources of carbon-free energy to the grid cost-effectively and safely,” Kevin Miller, Amazon’s VP of global data centers said in the statement.
“We need smart solutions that can help us meet growing energy demands while also addressing climate change. X-energy’s technology will be integral in helping achieve this, and is an important step in Amazon’s work to achieve our Climate Pledge commitment to be net-zero by 2040.”
The sources: Amazon statement , X-energy statement , Reuters
