ALBAWABA - Following a similar move by Google, Amazon is making a significant entrance into nuclear energy, announcing that it would spend more than $500 million to create small modular reactors (SMRs) in order to fulfill its expanding AI energy requirements.
The initiative, driven by Amazon Web Services (AWS), comes at a crucial moment when there is a soaring need for energy that is both clean and dependable, in light of the emergence of energy-intensive Artificial Intelligence technologies.
The cloud computing division of Amazon, AWS, has announced that it entered into agreements with utility firms in the states of Virginia and Washington to investigate the possibility of incorporating small modular reactors (SMRs) into the electricity grid.
According to the company’s statement, minion Energy and AWS are collaborating to construct an SMR close to Dominion Energy's current nuclear power plant in Virginia, North Anna. Meanwhile, AWS and Energy Northwest have partnered in Washington to build up to four SMRs, with plans to eventually expand to eight modules.
Amazon’s transition to nuclear energy comes in part of its comprehensive sustainability goals as the online retail giant works towards net-zero carbon emissions through its Climate Pledge Fund, with its investment in nuclear energy attempting to promote this objective.
Nuclear power, known for its zero carbon emissions during operation, offers a potential remedy to the challenges faced by renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, which struggle to fulfill the complete energy requirements of growing data centers.
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin commented that “Small modular nuclear reactors will play a critical role in positioning Virginia as a leading nuclear innovation hub,” as reported by CNBC.
AWS CEO Matthew Garman reiterated this perspective, stressing that nuclear power is crucial to provide the gigawatts of energy consumption needed by future data centers, particularly as AWS expands its AI capabilities.
