Amazon has joined the trend of big tech firms buying power from existing nuclear power plants. The company has partnered with Talen Energy’s Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania to power a portion of its AWS cloud and AI servers. This move follows similar actions by Microsoft and Meta.
Previously, Amazon had planned to build a data center next to the power plant to directly access electricity, but this arrangement was rejected over concerns about grid fairness. Now, Amazon’s revised deal involves purchasing energy through the grid like other customers, with the agreement lasting until 2042.
In addition to this partnership, Amazon and Talen are exploring the construction of small modular reactors within Pennsylvania. This approach aims to expand generation at existing nuclear plants, offering a more straightforward path to increasing nuclear capacity. Other tech giants like Microsoft and Meta are also investing in nuclear power projects to support their energy needs.
Overall, the move towards utilizing nuclear power demonstrates a commitment to cleaner energy sources and sustainable practices in the tech industry. It also highlights the potential for innovation and collaboration in the nuclear energy sector to meet growing energy demands.
