The collaboration between Amazon, X-energy and two Korean corporations covers reactor design, provide chain growth, building, funding methods, and long-term operations
In sum – what to know:
5 GW of nuclear deliberate by 2039 – The partnership targets U.S. deployments of Xe-100 SMRs to energy AI infrastructure, with world enlargement additionally into consideration.
$50 billion funding envisioned – Private and non-private funds might be mobilized to assist deployment and provide chain development throughout the U.S. and South Korea.
AWS hyperlinks nuclear to AI development – Amazon highlights knowledge middle power demand as a driver for adopting carbon-free nuclear options.
X-energy, Amazon, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Energy (KHNP), and Doosan Enerbility have introduced a strategic partnership with the purpose of deploying X-energy’s Xe-100 superior small modular reactors (SMRs) in america.
In a launch, X-energy famous that the initiative goals to fulfill rising energy demand from knowledge facilities, synthetic intelligence (AI) infrastructure, superior manufacturing, and electrification.
Below the phrases of the settlement, Amazon, X-energy and the Korean corporations plan to deploy greater than 5 GW of recent nuclear capability throughout the U.S. by 2039, whereas additionally contemplating alternatives in worldwide markets. Additionally they count on to mobilize as much as $50 billion in private and non-private funding for Xe-100 tasks and to increase provide chain capabilities in each the U.S. and South Korea.
The corporate additionally famous that the collaboration covers reactor design, provide chain growth, building, funding methods, and long-term operations. The partnership additionally aligns with the $350 billion commerce deal signed between america and South Korea earlier this yr, which emphasised cooperation in superior power applied sciences.
“This partnership brings collectively confirmed nuclear management and expertise from Korean trade and X-energy’s superior reactor and gas expertise to fulfill a historic power problem,” mentioned X-energy CEO J. Clay Promote. “By combining our experience, we’re making certain that we’re finest positioned to speed up the Xe-100 SMR into {the marketplace} with the distinctive information and expertise developed all through the South Korea industrial provide chain.”
Amazon Net Providers head of Worldwide Power, Vibhu Kaushik, added: “Information facilities are the vital infrastructure wanted to assist AI management, and their energy wants proceed to speed up to fulfill the rising wants of our clients. By forming this partnership with KHNP and Doosan together with X-energy, we’re persevering with to pursue revolutionary carbon-free options and expertise to assist meet the growing power demand, and we’re excited that this can assist us allow over 5 gigawatts of recent nuclear power within the U.S.”
X-energy is already pursuing preliminary Xe-100 deployments within the U.S. In Might 2025, its proposed challenge with Dow in Texas reached a milestone when its building allow utility was accepted for evaluate by the Nuclear Regulatory Fee. In Washington state, X-energy can be advancing a collaboration with Amazon and Power Northwest that would finally host as much as 12 Xe-100 reactors.
Earlier this month, Google, Kairos Energy, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) introduced a brand new collaboration geared toward assembly the U.S.’s rising power wants whereas advancing the nation’s management in next-generation nuclear energy.
The initiative facilities on a brand new energy buy settlement (PPA) between Kairos Energy and TVA for the Hermes 2 Plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. As soon as operational in 2030, Hermes 2 will ship as much as 50 megawatts (MW) of dependable electrical energy to TVA’s grid, supporting Google’s knowledge facilities in Tennessee and Alabama.
Nuclear energy crops generate giant quantities of electrical energy constantly, making them a powerful candidate for supplying the baseload energy AI methods want. Listed below are a number of key the explanation why this supply of power might play an important function:
1. At all times-on energy
In contrast to photo voltaic or wind, nuclear energy isn’t weather-dependent. It supplies fixed electrical energy, 24/7, three hundred and sixty five days a yr. This reliability makes it perfect for knowledge facilities that may’t afford interruptions.
2. Excessive power density
This supply of energy is environment friendly. A small quantity of uranium can produce way more electrical energy than the equal in coal, gasoline and even photo voltaic panels. This implies nuclear crops can generate a number of energy utilizing comparatively little land — one thing that issues as knowledge facilities increase.
3. Low carbon emissions
This energy produces nearly no greenhouse gasoline emissions throughout operation. As governments and corporations decide to net-zero targets, nuclear energy gives a solution to meet rising power wants with out growing carbon footprints.
4. Subsequent-generation nuclear applied sciences
New developments in nuclear expertise are making it safer, smaller and extra versatile. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), as an illustration, may be constructed close to knowledge facilities or tech campuses, offering localized and devoted energy. These items are sooner and cheaper to deploy than conventional nuclear crops.
