Amazon Aims for 5GW Nuclear Power Expansion to Fuel AI and Cloud Growth by 2039

Major Corporate Clean Energy Initiative

Amazon has announced plans to develop one of the largest corporate-backed clean energy projects in the United States, targeting five gigawatts of new nuclear capacity by 2039, according to company reports. The technology giant is partnering with X-energy and Energy Northwest to construct 12 small modular reactors (SMRs) at the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility near Richland, Washington.

Major Corporate Clean Energy Initiative
Powering the Digital Ecosystem
Next-Generation Reactor Technology
Workforce Development and Economic Impact
Broader Nuclear Strategy
Sustainability and Grid Impact

Powering the Digital Ecosystem

The nuclear expansion is reportedly designed to provide carbon-free electricity for Amazon’s rapidly growing digital infrastructure. Sources indicate that artificial intelligence tools, large-scale data centers, and cloud storage systems require more stable power than intermittent renewables like solar and wind can provide. Nuclear energy offers the around-the-clock reliability needed for continuous operation of Amazon Web Services (AWS) and other digital operations.

Next-Generation Reactor Technology

The Cascade project will utilize X-energy’s Xe-100 reactor design, which analysts describe as a next-generation modular system built for scalability and safety. Each reactor unit will generate approximately 80 megawatts of power, with modular construction methods enabling faster deployment compared to traditional nuclear plants. The report states that this approach allows for incremental capacity expansion as energy demands increase.

Workforce Development and Economic Impact

Local workforce preparation is already underway through the Department of Energy-funded Energy Learning Center at Columbia Basin College. The facility will host a high-fidelity simulator replicating the Xe-100 control room to train operators, engineers, and technicians for high-paying roles. Amazon estimates the project will create over 1,000 construction jobs and more than 100 permanent technical positions once the Cascade reactors enter service in the early 2030s., according to emerging trends

Broader Nuclear Strategy

This Washington initiative represents just one component of Amazon’s comprehensive nuclear energy approach. The company has also partnered with Talen Energy to develop a nuclear-powered data center in Pennsylvania. While SMRs are considered smaller and potentially safer than conventional nuclear plants, analysts suggest that whether they will deliver on their promise of clean, scalable, and cost-effective power remains to be seen, given the long approval timelines and high upfront costs typical of nuclear projects.

Sustainability and Grid Impact

Kara Hurst, Amazon’s chief sustainability officer, emphasized that “this project isn’t just about new technology, it’s about creating a reliable source of carbon-free energy that will support our growing digital world.” The initiative will also support Washington State’s goal of diversifying its clean energy portfolio. Construction of the first reactors is scheduled to begin near the end of this decade, with operations expected to commence in the early 2030s, according to the company’s timeline.

If successfully implemented, Amazon’s nuclear expansion would represent a significant corporate investment in clean baseload power generation at a time when computational demands from AI and cloud services are escalating rapidly across the technology sector.

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