U.S. Nuclear Energy to Power Amazon's AI Infrastructure

In a significant move to bolster the future of nuclear energy in the United States, tech giant Amazon and nuclear technology developer X-Energy, based in Rockville, Maryland, have forged a strategic partnership with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Corporation (KHNP) and Doosan Enerbility.

This collaboration aims to mobilize up to $50 billion in public and private investment to scale the deployment of advanced nuclear reactors, particularly X-Energy's Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and their proprietary TRISO-X fuel technology.

X-Energy's TRISO-X fuel seals uranium particles in a protective coating, enabling the fuel to withstand high temperatures without melting. This innovative technology is showcased in the Xe-100 reactor, which operates at temperatures over 750°C and can run without fuel interruption for 60 years.

Amazon has been actively investing in nuclear energy projects and technologies. Last year, the company announced a collaboration with X-Energy to bring over 5 GW of SMR projects online by 2039. Recently, Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund led a $700 million financing round for X-Energy to support the commercialization of the company's SMR technology.

The partnership with KHNP, Doosan, and X-Energy is not just about meeting the increasing energy demand. It's also about addressing the power needs of data centers, which are critical infrastructure needed to support Amazon's AI leadership. The growing needs of Amazon's customers are accelerating the demand for generative AI, which will require different sources of energy than originally projected.

The South Korean industry partners joining the strategic partnership bring proven nuclear leadership and experience to the table. Under the new partnership, KHNP, Doosan, and additional Korean industrial partners have agreed to support the deployment of over 5 GW of new nuclear energy across the U.S.

This collaboration is vital to preserving American leadership in the AI race and surpassing China as the leader in nuclear development. It's a significant step towards Amazon's continued investments in renewables and its pursuit of new carbon-free energy sources.

Amazon has already achieved its 100% clean energy goal 7 years ahead of schedule. This new partnership will enable over five gigawatts of new nuclear energy in the U.S., furthering Amazon's commitment to a sustainable future.

According to AWS Head of Worldwide Energy, Vibhu Kaushik, this partnership will help meet the growing power demands from data centers and AI infrastructure in the U.S. The partnership is a testament to Amazon's dedication to innovation, sustainability, and technological advancement.