Amazon Web Services (AWS) has backed off plans to develop a data center next to a nuclear plant in Maryland.

Amazon first revealed plans in April to potentially develop a data center near the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant at 1650 Calvert Cliffs Parkway in Lusby, Calvert County.

Documents filed with the county suggest more than 2.46 million sq ft (228,540 sqm) of data center space could have been developed over eight buildings. The campus would have reportedly totaled around 500MW, served via a power agreement with Constellation Energy. Local press reported that the county had been in discussions with Rowan Digital Infrastructure about the project as well.

However, the Calvert County Government this week announced that Amazon Data Services has formally withdrawn its Calvert Technology Center Conceptual Site Development Plan application and “has decided not to pursue the proposed data center project in Calvert County.”

DCD has reached out to AWS for comment. Update: Amazon confirmed its withdrawal to DCD but said it "remains deeply committed" to Maryland.

The company said: "After careful evaluation, Amazon has decided not to move forward with the proposed site development in Calvert County at this time. We regularly evaluate infrastructure opportunities based on a range of factors, including development timelines, operational requirements, and our ability to deliver quickly for customers."

The county is currently exploring a potential six-month data center moratorium, with the council set to vote on the measure this week.

“The proposed ordinance would establish a temporary moratorium to allow time to review and adopt regulations and zoning ordinance text amendments related to data centers and heavy industrial use conditions, and to complete any necessary studies or analysis,” the county said.

Natelli Holdings is interested in developing on land south of the potential AWS campus, at 10475, 10485, & 10495 Solomons Island Road.

Amazon’s plans for a cable landing station in Maryland are also facing difficulties. The cloud company’s upcoming Fastnet cable is set to connect the US to Ireland, landing in Maryland’s Ocean City.

Globalinx is set to develop the landing station hosting the cable, but Worcester County recently brought in a 12-month moratorium on permits for data centers and cable landing stations in the area. The company has told local press that the block hasn't ended its agreement with Amazon.