As global energy demands soar and the urgency to combat climate change intensifies, Amazon is making a significant investment in nuclear energy to power its operations and support the transition to a carbon-free future.
The tech giant is leveraging cutting-edge innovations like small modular reactors (SMRs), partnering with energy utilities, and funding nuclear research—all in alignment with its ambitious Climate Pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
Amazon recently committed over $500 million to develop SMRs, compact nuclear reactors that can be built closer to energy grids and deployed faster than traditional plants.
The company has already announced a pilot project with Energy Northwest in Washington state and is exploring another with Dominion Energy in Virginia. These reactors are expected to provide carbon-free electricity not only for Amazon’s vast operations but also for nearby homes and businesses.
To ensure the continuity of carbon-free energy, Amazon has partnered with Talen Energy to co-locate a data center near the Susquehanna nuclear facility in Pennsylvania. This move helps maintain the plant’s operations, supporting essential upgrades and relicensing while preserving 900 local jobs. In addition, it brings economic benefits to the region, including new construction jobs and enhanced utility infrastructure.
Amazon’s nuclear investments are poised to create thousands of jobs. In Washington, the Energy Northwest project is expected to support 1,000 construction jobs and over 100 permanent positions. Similarly, the Pennsylvania data center project will generate significant employment opportunities, fostering economic growth in local communities.
Amazon is also placing bets on the future of nuclear power through investments in companies like X-energy, a leader in advanced SMR technology. Through its Climate Pledge Fund, Amazon aims to develop more than five gigawatts of new nuclear energy capacity over the next 15 years—enough to power millions of homes and significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Recognizing that the energy transition requires collaboration, Amazon is working closely with utilities and government leaders. In Washington, the company is supporting Energy Northwest’s SMR project, expected to generate up to 960 megawatts (MW) of power—enough to meet the energy needs of over 770,000 U.S. households. In Virginia, Amazon is partnering with Dominion Energy to explore a similar project, which could deliver 300 MW of clean power to the region.
Beyond SMRs, Amazon is contributing to research on nuclear fusion, a potentially limitless source of carbon-free energy. Through AWS, the company supported a study by the Clean Air Task Force (CATF), unveiled at COP29, demonstrating how artificial intelligence (AI) can accelerate fusion research. AI-driven advancements are expected to optimize reactor designs and diagnostics, potentially bringing fusion technology to market much sooner than anticipated.
Amazon acknowledges the risks and uncertainties associated with investing in emerging technologies like nuclear energy. However, the company remains committed to innovation, driven by the belief that bold investments today will yield a sustainable and carbon-free future for society.
By integrating SMRs and exploring advanced energy solutions, Amazon is not only working toward its own sustainability goals but also contributing to a global transition to clean energy.
As Amazon continues to expand its global footprint, its investments in nuclear energy underscore a broader commitment to sustainable innovation. By blending advanced technology, strategic partnerships, and a long-term vision, Amazon aims to redefine how corporations can lead the way in addressing the world’s most pressing energy challenges.
