Amazon announces it will invest over 75 billion yen in a next-generation nuclear reactor 'small modular reactor' development project
On October 16, 2024, Amazon announced that it had signed three new contracts to support the development of
Amazon enlists nuclear small modular reactors in push for net carbon-zero
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/sustainability/amazon-nuclear-small-modular-reactor-net-carbon-zero
Amazon goes nuclear, to invest more than $500 million to develop small modular reactors
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/16/amazon-goes-nuclear-investing-more-than-500-million-to-develop-small-module-reactors.html
'Today, we are announcing that we have signed three new agreements to support the development of nuclear energy projects, including enabling the construction of several new SMRs,' Amazon said in a statement on October 16.
SMRs are next-generation reactors that are smaller than conventional reactors, with an output of less than 300MW, compared to the 1,000MW of a typical nuclear power plant. Because of their small physical footprint, they can be placed close to existing power grids, and their construction time is shorter than that of conventional reactors.
Amazon's agreement with Energy Northwest , a Washington state utility consortium, will allow for the development of four advanced SMRs, which will be built, owned, and operated by Energy Northwest. The first phase of the project will generate a total of approximately 320 MW, with options to expand to 960 MW in the future.
Amazon also led a $500 million investment in X-energy , a company developing SMRs and their fuel. X-energy's advanced reactor design will be used in Energy Northwest's projects. The investment also includes support for the development of SMR equipment to support new nuclear projects of over 5GW.
Additionally, Amazon has signed a contract with Dominion Energy , a Virginia power company, to support an SMR construction project near the North Anna Nuclear Power Plant operated by Dominion Energy. CNBC reported that with this announcement, Amazon's investment in SMRs will exceed $500 million (approximately 75 billion yen).
In a statement, Amazon said, 'In addition to creating and preserving carbon-free energy sources, investments in nuclear energy projects are expected to provide an economic boost to the communities where they live,' and emphasized that investing in SMRs will also help create jobs.
Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS), said, 'Nuclear power is a secure source of carbon-free energy that powers our business and helps meet the growing demands of our customers. One of the fastest ways to address climate change is to transition society to carbon-free energy sources. Nuclear energy is a key investment area for Amazon because it is both carbon-free and scalable. Our agreement encourages the construction of new nuclear technologies that will generate energy for decades to come.'
Amazon isn't the only tech company looking to nuclear power to meet surging data center power demands. In September 2024, Microsoft announced it had signed a contract to power the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant , which is due to restart Unit 1 by 2028.
The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant will restart and supply power to Microsoft - GIGAZINE
Also in October, Google announced that it had signed a deal to purchase nuclear energy from nuclear power company Kairos Power's small modular reactors (SMRs).
Google signs world's first corporate agreement to purchase nuclear energy from Kairos Power to accelerate clean energy transition - GIGAZINE
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Details of Amazon's nuclear power plant, including a completed rendering, are released - GIGAZINE
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