Amazon and nuclear startup X-energy on Monday announced a strategic partnership with South Korean nuclear and industrial companies to deploy more than 5 gigawatts of next-generation small modular reactor technology across the United States by 2039.
Nuclear operator Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, manufacturing giant Doosan, X-energy and Amazon signed a memorandum of understanding outlining collaboration across engineering, supply chain development and long-term operations of X-energy’s Xe-100 reactors. The companies say the move builds on a U.S.–South Korea trade pact signed earlier this year.
X-energy CEO J. Clay Sell said the agreement “facilitates the exact reset on trade that the president has advocated for,” estimating the deal could drive up to $50 billion in U.S. investment.
“Just with our relationship with Amazon, they have targeted a buy of 64 units — five gigawatts — in the next 14 years,” Sell said in an interview. “That is an extraordinary undertaking. It’s one that we’re capable of, but it’s also one that calls for bringing the world’s best together to see these units built in the United States.”
