From The Verge · Jess Weatherbed · · 1m 30s
Amazon funds new nuclear plant in Indiana
Amazon, X-energy and American Electric Power plan a 960-megawatt nuclear facility to power data centers and the regional grid.
In brief
Amazon, X-energy and American Electric Power plan a 960-megawatt nuclear facility to power data centers and the regional grid. Amazon has signed an agreement to fund a new nuclear plant in Indiana that would generate 960 megawatts for data centers and the power grid. Originally reported by The Verge.
Amazon backs Indiana nuclear plant
Amazon has signed an agreement with X-energy and American Electric Power to fund a new nuclear facility in Indiana. The plant would replace the defunct coal-fueled Breed Generating Station in Fairbanks, Sullivan County.
Nine hundred sixty megawatts of power
The proposed plant aims to provide up to 960 megawatts of carbon-free energy for both the regional power grid and Amazon's data centers. No timeline for construction or operation has been announced.
Advanced reactors still in development
The facility is targeting 12 Xe-100 SMRs, an advanced but unproven reactor still undergoing development and licensing. These reactors can be cooled using air, water, or a hybrid solution without impacting local water demand.
Jobs and local investment
Amazon says the facility could create 1,000 construction jobs and 100 permanent roles. Terms for the agreement have not been disclosed, so costs cannot be compared to other projects.
Part of larger nuclear strategy
This is Amazon and X-energy's second nuclear collaboration.Together they aim to deploy more than 5 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity in the US by 2039.
Tech companies race for nuclear power
Amazon joins Meta, Microsoft and Google in exploring nuclear energy projects to power AI data centers.
What it means
Amazon has signed an agreement to fund a new nuclear plant in Indiana that would generate 960 megawatts for data centers and the power grid.
