Amazon and Google back plan to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050

Amazon and Google have pledged support for a global initiative to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050, according to Reuters.

The commitment, facilitated by the World Nuclear Association (WNA), has also gained backing from shale company Occidental and Japanese heavy equipment manufacturer IHI. More industry players, including those from maritime, aviation, and oil and gas, are expected to join.

The pledge builds on a 2023 commitment by over 30 countries to achieve the same goal. Nuclear energy currently supplies 9% of global electricity from 439 reactors and is gaining traction as a reliable power source for energy-intensive data centres. Tech firms are increasingly investing in nuclear energy, signing billion-dollar agreements with utilities.

Amazon has already invested over $1 billion in nuclear energy projects and is exploring small modular reactors (SMRs). Meta and Google are also looking into this emerging technology.