Amazon reveals what one of many US’ first modular nuclear reactors will appear like

To satisfy its massive energy demand for its AI and cloud providers, Amazon is investing in nuclear energy as a cleaner choice. After signing agreements to assist construct nuclear vitality initiatives final yr, the tech large revealed plans for an upcoming small modular reactor, or SMR, in Richland, Washington. Amazon is working with Vitality Northwest, Washington state’s utilities company, and X-energy, an SMR developer, to construct the Cascade Superior Vitality Facility.

The SMR has a smaller footprint than conventional nuclear reactors, however will nonetheless supply a modular design that may pump out as much as 960 megawatts of energy. Amazon is planning to assist develop 4 SMRs within the first section of the Cascade facility that may present an preliminary energy capability of 320 megawatts. After that, the ability has the choice to develop to 12 items for the utmost vitality output. In response to Amazon, building on the mission will begin someday earlier than the tip of the last decade, whereas operations are anticipated to start out within the 2030s.

Amazon is not the one huge tech firm to lean into nuclear vitality to energy its AI operations. In October of final yr, Google partnered with a nuclear vitality firm known as Kairos Energy to assemble seven SMRs throughout the US. A month later, Meta was additionally trying to construct an AI knowledge middle powered by nuclear vitality, however reportedly ran right into a discovery of a rare bee species that held up plans.