USA, Washington, RICHLAND: Amazon has unveiled plans to triple the capacity of its debut nuclear project with small modular reactor (SMR) developer X-energy, expanding the proposed Cascade Advanced Energy Facility from 320 MW to 960 MW.
The nearly $1 B project, located along the Columbia River near Richland, Washington, will be developed in three phases, each hosting four of X-energy’s 80-MW high-temperature gas-cooled reactors. Once operational, the facility will supply electricity to Energy Northwest, augmenting the existing Columbia Generating Station and powering Amazon’s nearby data centers.
Unlike a traditional power purchase agreement, Amazon’s direct investment structure is intended to de-risk construction and accelerate completion of the first-of-its-kind Gen IV SMR plant. Construction is expected to start by the end of this decade, with operations beginning in the 2030s.
The partnership between Amazon and X-energy positions the US to compete in the global race for fourth-generation nuclear reactors, a field currently led by China, which commissioned its first such reactor in 2023. X-energy faces competition from US innovators such as TerraPower, Oklo, and Kairos Power, each pursuing next-generation nuclear designs.
“This project stands at the forefront of energy innovation,” said J. Clay Sell, X-energy CEO, crediting Amazon’s support for accelerating development and talent growth.
Energy Northwest is also collaborating with Columbia Basin College and the US Department of Energy to establish a training center equipped with a reactor control room simulator, aimed at preparing a new generation of clean energy operators and supporting the region’s long-term workforce needs.
Source: Latitude Media
