On October 16, 2025, Amazon and Energy Northwest announced a partnership to fund the development and deployment of small modular reactor (SMR) technology in Washington to boost reliable energy resources across the Northwest. This collaboration comes as energy demands continue to rise, prompting the need for advanced technologies that can provide sustainable, carbon-free energy.
SMRs offer a scalable and flexible solution to meet growing energy needs. Amazon will fund the initial feasibility phase of an SMR project planned near Energy Northwest’s Columbia Generating Station nuclear energy facility in Richland, Washington.
“As a member of Washington’s business community, Amazon is committed to investing in new nuclear energy technologies that can help power our operations and provide net-new, safe sources of carbon-free energy to the grid,” said Kevin Miller, Amazon’s Vice President of Global Data Centers. “This new SMR project is a significant step toward Amazon’s Climate Pledge commitment to reach net-zero carbon across our operations by 2040.” Miller added that the company is “proud to be working with Energy Northwest.”
Greg Cullen, Vice President for Energy Services & Development at Energy Northwest, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration: “We are excited about this collaboration with Amazon and are impressed with their vision for helping develop new nuclear technologies and their desire to also make this resource available to utilities in the future.” Cullen noted the challenges utilities face in taking the first steps toward developing new technologies. He also expressed appreciation for “Amazon for being willing to use their financial strength, need for power and know-how to lead the way to a reliable, carbon-free power future for the region.”
The SMRs will use the Xe-100 design, a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor developed by X-energy, a leader in advanced nuclear reactor and fuel technology. Each Xe-100 module can generate 80 megawatts of electricity. Energy Northwest and X-energy have collaborated on plans for an Xe-100 facility since 2020.
Under the agreement, Amazon has the right to purchase electricity from the first project, which will consist of four modules providing 320 megawatts of energy. Energy Northwest has the option to add up to eight additional modules (640 MWs), increasing the project’s total capacity to 960 MWs. This additional power will be available to Amazon and other Northwest utilities to power homes and businesses.
Energy Northwest, as the owner and operator of the Pacific Northwest’s only nuclear generating facility, is well-positioned to develop this project. This public-private partnership between Energy Northwest and Amazon is paving the way for sustainable energy solutions.
