Collaboration between Amazon and advanced nuclear energy to strengthen artificial intelligence infrastructure in the U.S.

In a significant development, Amazon, X-Energy, the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Corporation (KHNP), and Doosan Enerbility have announced a new strategic partnership to scale the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors in the United States.

The partnership aims to address the increasing energy demand, particularly from data centers and AI infrastructure, by pursuing innovative carbon-free solutions and technology. Amazon's Head of Worldwide Energy, Vibhu Kaushik, underscores the importance of data centers as critical infrastructure needed to support AI leadership, and their power needs continue to accelerate.

At the heart of this partnership is X-Energy's Xe-100 Small Modular Nuclear Reactor (SMR), which operates at temperatures higher than 750°C. This reactor contains more than 200,000 TRISO-X-based fuel pebbles, enabling it to run without fuel interruption for 60 years. X-Energy's CEO, J. Clay Sell, emphasises the importance of this collaboration between the U.S. and South Korea in nuclear development.

The partnership follows a collaboration announced last year between Amazon and X-Energy to bring more than 5 GW of SMR projects online across the U.S. by 2039. Amazon's commitment to nuclear energy is evident, as the tech giant recently invested over $1 billion in nuclear energy projects and technologies.

The South Korean industry partners, KHNP and Doosan Enerbility, have agreed to support more than five gigawatts of advanced nuclear power plants in the USA. Doosan has also agreed to secure the manufacturing capabilities required for the deployment of Xe-100 modules.

The collaboration between Amazon and X-Energy is vital to preserving American leadership in the AI race. X-Energy, based in Rockville, Maryland, is a developer of nuclear reactor and fuel technology. The partnership will accelerate the Xe-100 SMR into the marketplace, leveraging the unique knowledge and skills developed throughout the South Korean industrial supply chain.

Notably, Amazon's 100% clean energy goal was achieved 7 years ahead of schedule in July 2024. This new partnership is a significant step towards meeting this goal and ensuring a sustainable future for AI and data centers in the U.S.

The partnership aims to mobilize up to $50 billion in public and private investment to support the future of nuclear energy in the U.S. With the Xe-100's ability to withstand high temperatures without melting, making it highly resistant to fuel failure and release of radioactive materials, this investment could pave the way for a more secure and sustainable energy future.

Collaboration between Amazon and advanced nuclear energy to strengthen artificial intelligence infrastructure in the U.S.