Amazon is taking a bold step toward cleaner, high-capacity energy by investing in small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) to power its growing artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure. Partnering with Energy Northwest and X-energy, the company revealed details of its upcoming Cascade Advanced Energy Facility in Richland, Washington, marking one of the first large-scale tech investments in nuclear energy in the U.S.
Source: Engadget

The new SMR design promises both efficiency and scalability. Each modular reactor will produce up to 240 megawatts, with Amazon planning an initial rollout of four units delivering 320 megawatts of power. Once expanded to 12 units, the facility could generate 960 megawatts — enough to power millions of servers and AI systems across Amazon Web Services data centers. Construction is set to begin before the end of the decade, with operations starting in the early 2030s.

Amazon’s move reflects a growing trend among tech giants seeking sustainable ways to feed their energy-hungry AI models. Last year, Google partnered with Kairos Power to develop seven SMRs across the U.S., while Meta’s own nuclear-powered data center project was delayed after an environmental review uncovered a rare bee species.

For Amazon, the nuclear pivot could reshape how big tech powers the next wave of digital intelligence. As cloud computing and AI workloads consume unprecedented energy levels, clean nuclear solutions could replace traditional fossil fuels and stabilize power grids. The Cascade facility also underscores Amazon’s broader sustainability goals, including achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

If successful, Amazon’s investment might redefine the intersection of AI and energy — making nuclear not just a power source, but a cornerstone of the tech ecosystem.