TerraPower, the nuclear energy company founded by Bill Gates, has secured a major $650 million investment to advance its Natrium reactor. This funding round included support from Nvidia’s NVentures, Bill Gates, and HD Hyundai. It brings TerraPower’s private financing to over $1.4 billion.

With $2 billion in federal support from the U.S. Department of Energy, the company now has more than $3.4 billion to speed up the design and building of its first commercial Natrium reactor.

The plant is being built in Kemmerer, Wyoming, at the site of a retiring coal plant. The goal is to have it operational by 2030, with construction that started in 2024. TerraPower has submitted its formal permit application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

This is an important step in the U.S. nuclear approval process. This project is a top example of small modular reactor (SMR) use in the country. It may also serve as a model for future clean energy growth.

Tech Titans Join Nuclear Push for Low‑Carbon, 24/7 Power

Tech companies are turning to nuclear power as data centers and AI technologies using a lot of energy now. Nuclear power offers a clean and stable solution. Unlike solar and wind, which are intermittent, nuclear energy provides consistent electricity around the clock. This makes it ideal for powering servers, cooling systems, and other infrastructure that must run 24/7.

• RELATED: Meta Partners with Constellation to Power Illinois AI Data Centers with Nuclear Energy

Nvidia’s investment in TerraPower signals a growing interest from the tech sector in long-term energy solutions. AI applications, such as language models and image generators, drive high demand for computing power. This power relies on a steady supply of electricity.

According to estimates, a single AI training run can consume as much power as 100 U.S. homes use in a year. That figure is expected to rise as AI becomes more advanced and widespread. The chart below shows the range of power estimated for U.S. data centers by 2030. 

TerraPower has also partnered with Sabey Data Centers to explore integrating Natrium reactors directly with new data center builds. The goal is to place advanced nuclear reactors near digital infrastructure. This will provide secure, carbon-free power where it’s needed most. This could help stabilize grids while also reducing emissions from the rapidly growing tech sector.

Other major technology firms like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are also investigating nuclear energy options. Many companies have net-zero goals due in the next decade. They are starting to see that renewables alone might not be enough.

Advanced nuclear reactors, such as Natrium, provide a flexible option. They complement solar and wind energy, which helps balance the grid and meet peak energy demands.

Natrium’s Secret Sauce: Salt, Safety, and Smarts

The Natrium design features a 345-megawatt sodium-cooled fast reactor. Unlike traditional reactors that use water as a coolant, Natrium uses liquid sodium, which allows the reactor to operate at lower pressures and higher temperatures. This improves efficiency and simplifies construction while enhancing safety.

What makes Natrium especially innovative is its 1-gigawatt-hour thermal energy storage system. This system stores excess heat in molten salt, which can then be released on demand to generate up to 500 megawatts of electricity for several hours. Such flexibility allows the plant to increase output during peak demand. It can also reduce production when renewable sources generate enough power.

Apart from being safer and more adaptable, Natrium is also cleaner than older reactors. It produces less long-lived radioactive waste and is designed to be easier to build and replicate. TerraPower expects future reactors to be constructed in about 36 months, significantly faster than traditional nuclear projects.

Supply‑Chain Partnerships and Global Scale‑Up

To bring Natrium to market quickly and at scale, TerraPower is forming global partnerships. The company is working with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to manufacture reactor components and vessel systems. It has also teamed up with Spain’s ENSA and South Korea’s Doosan for parts fabrication and engineering services.

TerraPower is also eyeing international markets. It has submitted its Natrium design to the UK’s Generic Design Assessment and is in early discussions with regulators in Japan and South Korea.

As more countries set net-zero goals and look to retire fossil fuel plants, interest in advanced nuclear is growing. TerraPower’s flexible, scalable model could meet that demand in both developed and emerging economies.

• RELEVANT: Europe’s €240B Nuclear Revival and the Rise of BWX Technologies (BWXT) & Électricité de France (EDF.PA)

A New Nuclear Renaissance for Energy‑Hungry AI and the Grid

We are entering a new phase of global energy transition, one in which AI and data services will become as central to society as manufacturing and agriculture. With that shift comes a steep rise in electricity demand.

Data centers, AI training clusters, and cloud platforms are projected to consume up to 8% of global electricity by 2030—double what they consume today.

EPRI U.S. Data Center Load Projections

In response, private investors and governments are turning to small modular reactors as a solution. These reactors can be placed near industrial centers or in remote spots. They produce steady electricity while using little land and also fit well with the current infrastructure.

SMRs also complement wind and solar by filling in gaps when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. Learn more about this reactor technology in this comprehensive guide. 

TerraPower’s Natrium is one of several SMR designs moving forward globally, but it is currently among the best-funded. Including the recent Nvidia-led round, SMR developers worldwide have raised over $3.5 billion in private capital since 2023.

That wave of investment shows a change in how industries and countries see nuclear energy. It’s not just a backup option anymore. Instead, it’s a key solution for decarbonizing power systems. Experts believe that advanced reactors could help meet dual challenges: providing zero-emission baseload energy and supporting the digital economy’s rising demand.

If TerraPower’s Wyoming project succeeds, it may lead to a new generation of nuclear plants that are smaller, safer, and easier to build than their predecessors. This trend is strengthened by the recent nuclear energy deal signed by Oklo with the U.S. Air Force. The DoD picked Oklo to provide clean power to its Eielson Base in Alaska.

Nuclear 2.0: Why TerraPower Could Lead the Charge

TerraPower’s Natrium reactor represents a bold and practical approach to clean energy. Backed by private tech investors like Nvidia and federal agencies, the company is creating a new nuclear power model. This model is safe, adaptable, and meets today’s energy needs.

If the company can deliver on its promise, Natrium may become a blueprint for the future of nuclear power: compact, clean, and ready for the 21st century.

• READ MORE: Trump’s New EOs Revive Nuclear: Fast Reactors, Big Promises, and a Race Against Time

The post Nvidia Invests in Bill Gates’ TerraPower, Which Closes $650M for Its Natrium Reactor appeared first on Carbon Credits.

Amazon just revealed its robotaxi plans! The retail giant is charging into the self-driving space through Zoox, its autonomous vehicle arm, aiming to produce up to 10,000 robotaxis annually at a massive new facility near Silicon Valley. This bold move is Amazon’s bid to challenge Waymo’s lead and join in reshaping future transportation.

The new production plant, located in Hayward, California, spans 220,000 square feet — about the size of three and a half football fields. Zoox says this factory is the first of its kind in the U.S., built solely for the serial production of purpose-designed robotaxis.

Before diving into Zoox’s big plans, let’s take a quick look at what robotaxis are all about.

What Exactly Is a Robotaxi?

Robotaxis are fully autonomous ride-hailing vehicles powered by advanced artificial intelligence. Using a mix of LiDAR, cameras, and radar sensors, they can navigate city streets without a human driver. Most are classified as Level 4 autonomous, meaning they can handle all driving tasks within set conditions.

Since Waymo first launched driverless rides in Phoenix in 2020, the concept has shifted from a futuristic experiment to a real-world mobility solution. Now, falling hardware costs and better AI performance are making robotaxis more affordable. In fact, Goldman Sachs estimates the cost per robotaxi could soon drop below $50,000.

Zoox Eyes Vegas Launch in 2025

Amazon acquired Zoox in 2020 for $1.2 billion, and now the company is preparing to launch its first commercial service in Las Vegas later this year. San Francisco is next, followed by additional cities like Austin and Miami in the coming years.

While Waymo has already logged more than 10 million paid robotaxi rides in cities like Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin, Amazon’s Zoox is still playing catch-up. Tesla, on the other hand, is betting on a future where its EVs can self-drive using its own Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, though it has yet to officially roll out a robotaxi fleet.

Here’s what it looks like.

• READ MORE: Robotaxis Are Here: Top 3 Companies That Are Driving the Future of Ride-Hailing 

Inside Zoox’s High-Tech Production Factory: Flexible and Modular

The Hayward facility will handle all aspects of Zoox’s robotaxi production, from engineering and software integration to final assembly and quality testing. It is just 17 miles from Tesla’s nearby plant and sits close to Zoox’s Foster City headquarters, which promotes better teamwork between teams.

The facility is flexible by design. As robotaxi technology evolves, the plant can easily adjust to build newer models or add new features. As said before, at full capacity, the factory will be able to churn out over 10,000 robotaxis each year, scaling up as demand grows.

Secondly, Zoox follows a modular production model. From design to deployment, the company manages every part of the process. That means faster development, more quality control, and the ability to quickly scale production if needed.

Human Touch Still Matters

Even in a factory building autonomous vehicles, people play a vital role. Zoox uses robots for precision tasks like adhesive application and moving vehicles along the line. But much of the work, including assembly, is still done manually by skilled workers.

The facility is expected to bring hundreds of new jobs to the Bay Area. Zoox’s current team will help train newcomers as the company expands its operations. The company plans to hire more operators, logistics teams, and assembly experts as its services roll out to more cities.

Zoox Puts Sustainability in the Driver’s Seat

The new plant was designed with sustainability in mind. Zoox skips energy-hungry processes like welding and painting, reducing its overall power use. The company also avoids heavy in-house manufacturing by working with suppliers to preassemble key components, cutting emissions and waste.

To reduce its environmental footprint, Zoox has equipped its facility with low-emission, quiet logistics systems that minimize both air and noise pollution. This effort reflects the company’s broader commitment to sustainable manufacturing and cleaner urban transportation.

Robotaxi Market: Forecast, Trends, and Sustainability

According to a report by Markets and Markets, the global robotaxi market could grow from $0.4 billion in 2023 to $45.7 billion by 2030, at a rate of almost 92%. This shows Amazon’s robotaxi endeavors are on the right track.

If trends keep going, robotaxis might soon be profitable on a large scale. This is key for drawing in long-term investors and speeding up global use.

Furthermore, most people today want safer, easier, and stress-free ways to get around, and that’s driving the rise of robotaxis. Instead of dealing with the hassle of driving, they’re turning to autonomous rides for convenience. Robotaxis also cost less than traditional taxis or owning a private car, making them a more affordable option.

At the same time, trends like ride-sharing and Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) are making robotaxis even more appealing. Furthermore, these vehicles also support sustainability goals, ease traffic in crowded cities, and improve road safety by removing human error from the equation.

Moreover, strong government backing, new partnerships, and growing public trust in autonomous tech are helping this market gain momentum. As a result, the robotaxi sector is quickly moving from concept to reality.

So, Amazon’s Zoox is now officially in the robotaxi game. With a world-first production facility, a clear launch roadmap, and a focus on smart, sustainable growth, it’s gearing up to rival both Waymo’s early lead and Tesla’s ambitious promises. Thus, the race to dominate the streets with driverless rides has started shifting gears.

• FURTHER READING: Amazon’s $1 Billion Move Towards Net Zero: Logistics Electrification Across Europe

The post Amazon’s Zoox Ramps Up Robotaxi Race — Can It Catch Waymo and Challenge Tesla? appeared first on Carbon Credits.

The European Central Bank (ECB) has released its third climate-related financial disclosure, marking steady progress toward its sustainability goals. This year’s report shows that carbon emissions from the ECB’s portfolios keep declining. It also adds a new feature: a metric that measures exposure to sectors linked to nature degradation.

The update shows how the ECB is incorporating climate and nature risks into its financial and monetary policy. This aligns with EU climate neutrality goals and the Paris Agreement.

Corporate Bond Portfolio Sees 38% Drop in Carbon Intensity

The ECB’s €331 billion corporate bond portfolio has significantly reduced its carbon intensity over the past three years. Between 2021 and 2024, the weighted average carbon intensity (WACI) fell by 38%, dropping from 266 to 165 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per million euros invested. This substantial drop is a direct result of both external emission reductions by issuers and internal policy shifts by the ECB.

What’s the Tilting Strategy?

One major driver of this shift was the ECB’s tilting strategy. By favoring corporate bond issuers with stronger climate credentials, the ECB was able to help decarbonize its portfolio.

• According to the disclosure, the tilting framework alone contributed roughly 26% of the total WACI reduction from 2021 to 2024.

Although reinvestments slowed in mid-2023 and stopped altogether by the end of 2024, the benefits of tilting continued. Bonds purchased under this strategy in 2024 showed 76% lower Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions compared to purchases made before tilting was introduced.

Nature Loss Now on the Radar

The ECB has added a nature-related financial risk indicator to its annual report for the first time. This new metric shows how much the ECB’s corporate investments rely on natural ecosystems or harm them.

Early findings show that around 30% of the Eurosystem’s corporate bond holdings are in three high-risk sectors: utilities, food, and real estate. These sectors face the highest nature-related risks due to their resource use and impact on ecosystems.

The ECB’s funds and staff pension portfolio have different exposure levels. The largest share is 40% in equity exchange-traded funds (ETFs) linked to nature-sensitive industries. This is an initial estimate. The bank views this nature metric as key for better risk assessments. It also aids in grasping the wider economic effects of biodiversity loss.

• READ MORE: National Bank of Canada Targets $20 Billion in Renewable Energy Lending by 2030 

ECB’s 7% Annual Emission Cut: What Does It Target? 

The ECB wants to further lower its emissions, keeping its long-term goal intact. It targets a 7% annual cut in emissions intensity for corporate bonds in the Asset Purchase Programme (APP) and the Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme (PEPP).

These targets align investments with the EU’s climate goals and the Paris Agreement. If the holdings deviate, the ECB’s Governing Council will consider corrective actions within the bank’s mandate.

Green Bond Holdings Surge to €6.4 Billion

The ECB is also increasing its exposure to green finance. The press release highlighted that in 2024, the share of green bonds in the ECB’s own funds portfolio rose to 28%, up from 20% in 2023.

• This increase translates into over €6.4 billion directed toward green initiatives, and the central bank aims to boost this share to 32% in 2025.

Additionally, the ECB started investing in ETFs that follow EU Paris-aligned benchmarks. These investments reflect the bank’s growing commitment to financing the low-carbon transition and supporting climate-aligned assets.

Meanwhile, the staff pension fund continues to make climate progress. In 2024, the fund cut the carbon footprint of its corporate investments by 20%, keeping it on track to meet its interim climate targets.

ECB’s Operational Emissions

While investment-related emissions dropped, the ECB’s own operational carbon footprint increased in 2023. According to the bank’s latest Environmental Statement, total Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions rose by 50.8% compared to 2022.

Scope 1 emissions—those from direct sources like heating—declined by 15.5%, and Scope 2 emissions from purchased energy fell by 3.9%. However, Scope 3 emissions, which include indirect sources such as business travel and purchased goods, surged by 61.4%. This increase reflects a post-pandemic rebound in travel and in-person events.

The bank set a short-term target to manage the emissions. For instance, in 2024, travel-related emissions had to stay under 60% of 2019 levels. In 2023, this figure reached 69%, signaling the need for stronger controls in operational emissions.

Data Gaps Pose Ongoing Challenge

Despite these advances, data quality remains a hurdle. The ECB pointed out that many companies still report incomplete or inconsistent emissions data, especially when it comes to Scope 3 emissions across value chains. This inconsistency makes it difficult to compare emissions across issuers and time periods.

Additionally, asset classes like covered bonds also suffer from limited emissions data, further complicating the ECB’s assessments. These gaps highlight the urgent need for reliable, standardized reporting rules across all financial sectors and jurisdictions.

The ECB stressed that better data and unified standards are key. These elements are vital for managing risks accurately and taking effective climate action.

Expanding the Climate Agenda: Nature, Physical Risks, and Transition

Building on its 2022 climate agenda, the bank has decided to expand its focus through 2025. It will focus on three major areas:

• The economic implications of the green transition
• The physical impacts of climate change, such as floods and heat waves
• The financial risks posed by nature loss and ecosystem degradation

The ECB and all Eurosystem national central banks have published climate-related financial disclosures every year since 2023. These disclosures follow a unified set of principles based on the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

Over time, these annual reports show how the ECB reduces its environmental impact. They also highlight a change in how central banks view climate and nature risks. These are not just environmental issues anymore; they are now seen as key financial risks.

The ECB’s 2025 disclosure makes it clear: central banking is going green, and nature matters. Emissions are dropping, green bonds are increasing, and biodiversity is now a focus. However, data challenges persist, and operational emissions are on the rise. Still, with clear targets and transparent disclosures, the ECB is pushing toward a climate-safe financial future.

• ALSO SEE: RBC, BMO, TD: Who Wins the Canadian Big Five Banks’ Financial Face Off and Net-Zero Race?

The post European Central Bank (ECB) Tilts Green: 38% Cut in Portfolio Emissions, Adds Nature Risk to Climate Disclosures appeared first on Carbon Credits.