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Amazon Boss Calls for More Nuclear Power to Meet AI Data Centre Energy Needs. Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS), emphasized the need for more nuclear energy in the UK to meet the growing energy demands of data centres supporting artificial intelligence (AI). AWS is set to invest £8 billion in new data centres in the UK over the next four years to cater to the increasing demands of AI and other services requiring substantial computational power. A single data centre can consume as much energy as a small town, and the growing use of AI, data processing, and streaming services is putting significant pressure on energy resources. Garman described nuclear energy as a great solution for powering data centres, noting that it provides reliable, zero-carbon energy 24/7, which is crucial for the tech industry’s future. Data centres in the UK currently use 2.5% of the country’s electricity, with projections showing this could increase to 6% by 2030 due to the rapid expansion of digital services. According to the National Grid, data centres could consume as much energy as all industrial users in the UK by 2050, presenting a major challenge to future energy distribution. EDF is constructing a new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point and plans another at Sizewell to help meet the growing energy demand, including the power needs of data centres. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), smaller than traditional nuclear plants, are seen as an ideal energy source for data centres, with Amazon already partnering with SMR developers. While SMRs hold promise, they are still in development, and delays in building new nuclear plants and energy grid connections are hindering the ability to meet the demand. Garman discussed the transformative potential of AI, but he warned against rushing into international regulations, stressing the importance of ensuring AI technology benefits society while being carefully monitored.
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