The Digital Press

Amazon has announced plans to help build one of the first modular nuclear power campuses in the U.S. to supply carbon-free electricity for its AI and cloud data centers.

Why it matters: Amazon aims to secure zero-carbon power for rapidly growing AI data center energy needs by investing in new nuclear technology.

The big picture: The Cascade Advanced Energy Facility, featuring Xe-100 small modular reactors, could set a precedent for future AI infrastructure power supply.

The stakes: The project faces regulatory, licensing, and financial hurdles, with construction expected only in the 2030s, amid risks highlighted by past SMR project failures.

Commenters say: Many welcome nuclear’s role in clean energy for AI but debate technical challenges, waste disposal, and U.S. lagging behind China’s nuclear advances.