Amazon has unveiled its latest ambition in the energy sector, by partnering with Energy Northwest for the construction of four nuclear reactors, with a capacity of 320 megawatts.
The technology company wants to take this step in order to have its own reactors to power its data centers and reduce its carbon footprint. But also to supply energy to some 200,000 homes at the Columbia Generating Station in Richland.
As part of this initiative, “Amazon will lead a $500 million investment in X-energy, a startup dedicated to the development of small modular nuclear reactors. These reactors are designed to be more efficient and economical than traditional models.”
With this investment, the American company wants to become “a pioneer in the adoption of nuclear energy in the technology sector.” If successful, eight reactors could be added to the project for a total of 960 megawatts, which is equivalent to supplying 700,000 homes.
Amazon wants to be part of the trend in the energy sector of building small modular reactors (SMR) as tools to offer clean energy continuously and efficiently. “Unlike renewable energy sources such as solar or wind, nuclear energy does not depend on weather conditions, which guarantees a constant supply of electricity.”
Given that X-energy does not have the necessary permits from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, it is estimated that the first reactors will not be operational until at least 2030.
Amazon’s financial support for nuclear energy is expanding to Virginia, where it is financing the construction of a nuclear plant in collaboration with Dominion Energy. The project is aimed at responding to the energy demand in Virginia, which, according to Dominion Energy, will double in the next 13 years. In this regard, they want to build more reactors at their plant on the North Anna River, which could help meet this growing demand.
M.Pino
Source: revistamercado
(Reference image source: Lukáš Lehotský in Unsplash)
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