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AWS Plans 960 MW Nuclear-Powered Data Center in Pennsylvania

AWS Acquires 1200-Acre Nuclear-Powered Data Center Campus in Pennsylvania

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has quietly secured a 1200-acre data center campus, co-located with the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, a nuclear power plant in Salem Township, Pennsylvania. This acquisition was part of a $650 million purchase from Cumulus, the former owner of the site. AWS plans to develop up to 960 MW of power capacity at the campus in stages, with potential 30-year commitments for carbon-free power supply.

960 MW Nuclear-Powered Campus

AWS’s data center project will expand in 120 MW increments over several years, with a one-time option to cap its power contract at 480 MW if future needs change. Each stage has a fixed price for the first 10 years, with options for two 10-year extensions based on the renewal of the nuclear plant’s operational license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

Talen Energy’s Statement

Talen Energy Corporation, the primary operator of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, confirmed AWS as the buyer in an investor presentation. Talen’s President and CEO, Mac McFarland, expressed satisfaction with the sale, highlighting the value created through the development of the Cumulus data center campus and the sale of clean, carbon-free power from the nuclear facility.

The Susquehanna Steam Electric Station is a nuclear power plant located in Salem Township, PA. — Susquehanna Steam Electric Station: A Strategic Asset

The Susquehanna nuclear plant, with two reactors commissioned in 1982 and 1984, generates over 2.5 GW of power and is licensed for operation until 2042 (Unit 1) and 2044 (Unit 2). The facility is critical for zero-carbon power generation and is fuel-contracted through its 2025 and 2028 scheduled maintenance periods, ensuring stable operations amid the global nuclear fuel supply concerns.

Talen Energy's diagram of the data center campus. — Talen Energy’s diagram of the data center campus.

Renewable Power Supply and Substation Capacity

The data center campus is directly connected to the nuclear plant, making it a zero-carbon power hub. Four substations with up to 960 MW of redundant capacity are available, with 240 MW expected to be developed by 2024. Terawulf Nautilus Cryptomine, an on-site cryptocurrency mining operation, has contracted 300 MW of capacity and plans to increase its demand by 50 MW in 2025.

AWS’s Role in the Future of Clean Energy

As AWS continues to scale its cloud infrastructure, this acquisition marks a significant step in securing clean, sustainable energy sources for its data centers. With a growing demand for zero-carbon power solutions, AWS’s investment in nuclear energy aligns with its broader sustainability goals