Dominion Energy is discussing small nuclear reactors with other tech companies after Amazon agreement

Dominion Vitality is speaking with different tech corporations about growing small modular nuclear reactors, after the Virginia utility entered into an settlement with Amazon final month to have a look at advancing the next-generation know-how.

“It’s extremely encouraging to see giant energy customers, together with know-how corporations, specific a willingness to take a position, accomplice and collaborate to carry this thrilling base load carbon free know-how into fruition,” Dominion CEO Robert Blue advised traders on the corporate’s third-quarter earnings name Friday.

Dominion and Amazon have signed a memorandum of understanding to discover growing a small modular reactor close to the utility’s North Anna nuclear station in Louisa County, Virginia. The small reactor would carry 300 megawatts of energy to Virginia.

Virginia is likely one of the most nuclear-friendly states within the nation with sturdy bipartisan help for next-generation nuclear initiatives, Blue mentioned.

“It is not shocking that our giant clients would have an interest as they consider us as an excellent operator of nuclear, to work collectively on perhaps advancing these sorts of applied sciences,” the CEO advised traders.

“So we have been speaking with Amazon clearly and others,” the CEO mentioned.

Tech corporations are investing in nuclear energy as they hunt for carbon-free, dependable electrical energy to help the rising power wants of synthetic intelligence knowledge facilities. Dominion serves the biggest knowledge heart market on this planet, northern Virginia.

Earlier this yr, Amazon purchased a knowledge heart campus from Talen Vitality that will probably be powered by the Susquehanna nuclear plant in Pennsylvania. Microsoft has signed an settlement to buy energy from Three Mile Island as Constellation Vitality goals to restart the plant in 2028. Alphabet‘s Google agreed final month to buy energy from the startup Kairos Energy, a developer of small modular reactors.

Small modular reactors promise to scale back capital prices and pace the deployment of nuclear crops. They’ve a smaller footprint than giant reactors, making them simpler to website in precept, and promise a less complicated manufacturing course of.

However the know-how has struggled to succeed in the industrial stage. There is no such thing as a working small modular reactor within the U.S. proper now.