Amazon to Build 12 Nuclear Energy Plants Similar to Those Planned in Rwanda

Amazon has unveiled new details about its ambitious plan to develop nuclear energy facilities in Washington State, where its global headquarters are located.

Last year, the company signed an agreement with Energy Northwest, a consortium of state-owned power utilities in Washington, to support the construction of at least 12 nuclear energy plants by the early 2030s.

Once completed, Amazon will have the right to purchase electricity generated by the first phase of the project, which will produce up to 320 megawatts of power.

Additional power from later phases will supply both Amazon and other utilities across Washington State.

Small Modular Reactors: Compact and Safer

The plants, known as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), are much smaller than traditional nuclear plants, requiring less land and offering enhanced safety. Unlike conventional reactors that risk large-scale explosions, SMRs are designed to automatically shut down in case of malfunction, minimizing danger.

Interestingly, Rwanda is also planning to introduce similar small-scale nuclear plants by 2030, as part of its clean energy strategy.

These reactors are manufactured in modular components, allowing for easier assembly, repair, and transport to different sites as needed.

A Revolutionary Energy Technology

The SMR technology represents a major innovation compared to traditional reactors currently in use in the United States.

Amazon released concept images of its first planned facility, to be built near Richland, Washington, under the name Cascade Advanced Energy Facility.

The site will consist of three reactor units with a combined capacity of 960 megawatts, enough to power approximately 770,000 homes in the U.S.

Unlike large conventional power plants that require over a square kilometer of space, the Cascade facility will occupy only a fraction of that area, showcasing the compact efficiency of SMRs.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

Amazon says the project will create over 1,000 construction jobs and about 100 permanent positions once operations begin.

By investing in nuclear energy, Amazon aims to diversify its clean energy sources, reduce carbon emissions, and ensure a stable electricity supply for its massive data centers and cloud computing services especially those supporting AI technologies that demand enormous power.