Amazon Embraces Nuclear Energy for Its AI and Cloud Services
So, Amazon is diving into nuclear power! Apparently, all that AI and cloud computing needs a ton of energy, and they're looking for cleaner ways to get it. Last year, they signed some deals to get involved in nuclear energy projects, and now they've unveiled their plans for a small modular reactor (SMR) in Richland, Washington.
They're teaming up with Energy Northwest and X-energy to build this "Cascade Advanced Energy Facility." The cool thing about SMRs is they're smaller than your typical nuclear reactor, but still pack a punch. This one could crank out up to 960 megawatts of power!
Amazon is planning to start with four SMRs, giving them 320 megawatts of initial power. And if things go well, they could expand to twelve units for even more energy. If you are wondering about when all this will happen, the project's construction should kick off before 2030, with operations hopefully starting sometime in the 2030s.
Now, Amazon isn't alone in this nuclear quest. Google is also partnering with Kairos Power to build seven SMRs across the US. Even Meta was exploring nuclear-powered data centers, but had some issues due to a rare bee species. Who would have thought that bees could delay nuclear power plans?
Source: Engadget