Lusby, Md. – In a move that bolsters the region’s clean‑energy infrastructure, online retailer Amazon and energy company Constellation announced Thursday a 20‑year partnership to expand Maryland’s sole nuclear facility, the Calvert Cliffs Clean Energy Center.
Major Investment to Strengthen Local Power Supply
The agreement will unlock over $3 billion for infrastructure improvements across the 1,790‑megawatt plant. Between 2030 and 2032, the project will add 190 megawatts of new generating capacity, increasing the plant’s ability to power more than 1.3 million homes.
Calvert Cliffs currently provides roughly 80 % of Maryland’s carbon‑free electricity and employs more than 800 workers. The new funding will modernize equipment, enhance safety systems, and support the plant’s relicensing for another 20 years, ensuring long‑term operation.
Amazon Secures Stable Energy for Data Centers
As part of the deal, Amazon entered a retail supply agreement with Constellation to meet the energy needs of its data‑center and cloud operations throughout the PJM regional grid, which spans 13 states including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. By locking in a reliable, carbon‑free power source, Amazon can better manage energy costs while advancing its climate commitments.
“This long‑term agreement with Constellation sustains the continued operation and expansion of Maryland’s largest source of carbon‑free energy, supports hundreds of jobs, and brings significant new generation to the regional grid,” said Kerry Person, vice president of AWS Global Operations and Data Center Delivery.
Benefits for the Grid and the Community
The added capacity is expected to improve grid stability at a time when PJM has warned of potential electricity shortages driven by retiring coal plants and soaring demand from data‑center growth. By keeping the plant fully operational, the partnership helps safeguard reliable power for homes and businesses across the Mid‑Atlantic.
“This agreement demonstrates how private investment can strengthen critical energy infrastructure,” said Joe Dominguez, chairman, president and CEO of Constellation. “Amazon’s commitment supports the long‑term operation of Calvert Cliffs for generations to come and creates a strong foundation for future investment in both the facility and advanced nuclear technologies.”
Regional Impact and Future Outlook
The expansion aligns with broader trends of tech companies backing nuclear projects to meet their sustainability goals. In neighboring Pennsylvania, Microsoft recently supported a plan to restart the Three Mile Island plant, and Amazon previously acquired a data‑center campus linked to a nuclear facility in the state.
With the new generation capacity and a secured 20‑year operating license, Calvert Cliffs is positioned to remain a cornerstone of Maryland’s clean‑energy portfolio, providing stable, carbon‑free power for the growing data‑center sector and the broader community.
Original reporting: Arlington County | FOX 5 DC — read the source article.
