Amazon Reveals Plans for Cascade Nuclear Power Facility in Washington

Amazon has announced plans for its first nuclear power plant, the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility, located in Washington State. This facility is designed to generate up to 960 megawatts of electricity through the use of twelve small modular reactors (SMRs). This initiative marks a significant step in Amazon’s pursuit of a carbon-free energy supply to support its growing data centers and artificial intelligence applications.

Collaborating with Energy Northwest and the reactor developer X-energy, Amazon aims to construct the facility near Richland, adjacent to the existing Columbia Generating Station. The compact design of the Cascade plant stands in stark contrast to traditional nuclear facilities, which often require extensive land. The twelve SMR units will occupy just a few city blocks, with the capacity to expand as energy needs increase.

Phased Development and Job Creation

Initially, Amazon plans to build four SMR units, each capable of producing 320 megawatts of power. This first phase can later be expanded to accommodate the full complement of twelve reactors, allowing for a gradual increase in energy output based on demand. The development of this facility is projected to create over 1,000 jobs during the construction phase and more than 100 permanent roles once operational.

To propel the advancement of SMR technology, Amazon is leading a funding round of approximately $500 million for X-energy. This Series C-1 investment seeks to support the development and deployment of more than five gigawatts of new nuclear energy projects across the United States by 2039.

The Department of Energy has also contributed to the initiative by funding an Energy Learning Center at Columbia Basin College in Pasco. This facility features a simulator that replicates the control room of X-energy’s Xe-100 reactor, designed to train specialists in nuclear technology.

Challenges Ahead and Industry Context

Construction of the Cascade Advanced Energy Facility is slated to begin at the end of this decade, with commissioning expected in the 2030s. The project represents a substantial investment in nuclear energy at a time when many technology companies, including Google and Microsoft, are exploring similar avenues to meet their energy requirements.

Ben Reinke, a representative from X-energy, highlighted the complexities involved in adopting and commercializing new technologies. He stated, “This is not for the faint of heart. It’s a difficult thing—adopting new technology like this and bringing it to market.” As the SMR technology is still in development, its commercial viability must be established before large-scale deployment.

Amazon’s pioneering venture into nuclear energy reflects a broader trend among tech giants to invest in sustainable energy solutions, aiming to meet their increasing power demands while reducing carbon footprints. The Cascade Advanced Energy Facility could play a crucial role in shaping the future of energy for not only Amazon but the entire tech industry.