Leading technology companies are increasingly securing their energy requirements through long-term contracts for nuclear power, highlighting the infrastructure challenges supporting advanced computing.

Amazon Secures 1,920 MW Nuclear Deal in Pennsylvania

Technology behemoth Amazon has signed a landmark agreement with Talen Energy, a power infrastructure company, for 1,920 megawatts (MW) of nuclear energy to power its data centers in Pennsylvania through 2042.

The energy will be generated at Talen’s Susquehanna nuclear facility and delivered through the regional power grid, with Amazon covering the transmission costs via service fees. This approach supports grid stability while potentially reducing transmission charges for all customers.

Talen CEO John Doe stated, “This collaboration brings certainty to the region’s energy supply while supporting the development of a critical economic engine.” PPL Electric Utilities, which will handle transmission, equally emphasized the mutual benefits.

“Connecting large load customers like data centers to our transmission system helps lower the transmission component of energy bills for all customers, as large load customers pay significant transmission charges on our network.”

The overarching objective aligns with the exponential energy needs predicted for AI and high-performance computing infrastructure.

Drivers for the Nuclear Shift

“The increasing demand for high-energy output infrastructure to power artificial intelligence and high-performance computing data centers is undeniable,” said energy sector analyst Sarah Chen. “These deals represent pragmatic solutions.”

The trend mirrors growing state and federal support for nuclear power expansion. United States President Joe Biden’s administration has advocated for modernizing nuclear infrastructure to support clean energy and digital economy imperatives.

“This enthusiasm reflects the strategic importance of reliable, low-carbon energy sources underpinning national competitiveness in critical technologies,” observed industry expert David Miller.

Related: Amazon doubles down on AI with $20B Pennsylvania investment

Microsoft’s Three Mile Island Reactivation Deal

This past September 2024, Microsoft secured a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy Corporation to reactivate the Three Mile Island nuclear facility. The deal, providing 835 MW of capacity to power Microsoft Azure AI infrastructure, includes target operational dates of 2028.

Meta and Constellation Power Commitment

Only weeks later, on June 3, Meta Platforms committed to purchasing 1.1 gigawatts of nuclear power from Constellation spanning two decades, specifically designed for its own AI and computing facilities.

The consistent preference for nuclear energy over traditional renewable sources highlights a technological distinction: nuclear deployments can be scaled rapidly enough to meet the immediate and escalating demands of data-hungry infrastructure.

“These developments signal a pivotal period not just for technological advancement but for fundamental energy infrastructure planning,” stated energy policy analyst Lisa Wong Miller. “The transition towards specialized, high-capacity energy sources is reshaping the grid at a national level.”

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