Amazon announces plan to develop 4 nuclear reactors along Columbia River
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Amazon has announced plans to develop four nuclear reactors along the Columbia River in Washington in an effort to consistently achieve net-zero carbon.
The facility, a small modular reactor (SMR) created in collaboration with Energy Northwest, will be stationed near the Columbia Generating Station nuclear energy facility in Richland, Wash.
Kevin Miller, Amazon's vice president of global data centers, said the company is investing in nuclear energy to “help power our operations and provide net-new, safe sources of carbon-free energy to the grid.”
“This new SMR project is a significant step toward Amazon's Climate Pledge commitment to reach net-zero carbon across our operations by 2040, and signifies our continued dedication to becoming a more sustainable company,” Miller said.
According to Energy Northwest, the four reactors will produce 320 megawatts of energy — and could be built out with eight additional reactors to produce up to 960 megawatts. For context, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council says an average megawatt can power 796 homes for a year.
"Amazon's announced investment in small modular reactors gives me hope for the future of the Northwest power grid,” Benton Public Utility District GM Rick Dunn said. “Under 100% non-emitting electricity requirements, nuclear power is the only technology capable of reliably delivering the massive amounts of around-the-clock energy our society needs, while also positioning utilities to meet aggressive electrification goals. I am ecstatic and deeply grateful to Amazon for their bold and visionary leadership."
It is not clear when the reactors will be installed and ready for use.