Tim is a senior climate reporter at TechCrunch, and a lecturer in MIT’s Graduate Program in Science Writing. Most recently, he reported on Amazon’s new initiative to bolster its energy supply. The tech giant announced last week that it had amended one power purchase agreement. This strategic move will ensure 1.92 gigawatts of nuclear energy, a big step toward sustainable energy solutions for its AWS data centers.
That agreement with Talen Energy is now complete. This deal smartly moves the energy purchase to where it makes sense—in front of the meter. But now, Amazon’s AWS data center will be billed like any other grid-connected customer. This amendment will make them comply with the energy regulations already in place. The collaboration aims to increase adoption of renewable power in tandem with maintaining the grid’s infrastructure.
Talen Energy is particularly important to this settlement. Second, it delivers clean, reliable, affordable power to the grid through its six in-operation nuclear power plants. Every kilowatt-hour produced by Talen covers transmission costs, which are crucial for maintaining and expanding the grid, as Talen knows well. This fiscal model allows Amazon’s electricity distribution to be more sustainable, making it a win-win for both Amazon and Talen.
Talen and Amazon are being proactive by shoring up immediate energy procurement. They released ambitious plans to pursue the construction of small modular reactors along Talen’s Pennsylvania footprint. Fuel savings This internal improvement could increase the generation capacity at today’s operating nuclear facilities. Besides helping it achieve clean energy goals, those anticipated improvements will directly fill Amazon’s orders and help meet wider energy needs.
This agreement—which includes energy purchases to 2042—highlights a commitment, at least on Talen’s part, for the long-term support of nuclear power. This latest move dovetails perfectly with other recent collaborations between big tech. To cite one recent example, Meta has just purchased the “clean energy attributes” of a 1.1 gigawatt nuclear power plant in Illinois via Constellation. These types of agreements are becoming the norm as technology companies increasingly look to power their operations with renewable energy.
Starting in spring 2026, we’ll be going to work reconductoring all of the transmission lines associated with this swap. This new work will help ensure that new energy sources integrate smoothly into our pre-established grid system. These moves highlight a growing trend among large companies to adopt sustainable energy practices.
Tim De Chant was awarded the Knight Science Journalism Fellowship at MIT in 2018. Since then, he has continued to immerse himself in the world of climate technologies and sustainable business models for journalism. He received his PhD in environmental science, policy, and management from the University of California, Berkeley. He has a BA in environmental studies, English, and biology from St. Olaf College. His unique perspective on these developments offers valuable context in understanding the nexus of technology and sustainability.