US is moving ahead with colocated nukes and datacenters
The Register
February 13, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The US is advancing plans to build the nation's first nuclear-powered AI and HPC datacenter campus at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), proposed by nuclear developer Deep Atomic. This project aims to create a dedicated power plant for a datacenter, marking a significant shift from existing facilities that merely operate near nuclear stations, such as Amazon's Cumulus in Pennsylvania. The initiative is driven by Department of Energy (DoE) efforts to collocate datacenters with energy generation facilities on federal land, spurred by President Trump's focus on AI development and its energy demands.
Deep Atomic's MK60 Small Modular Reactor (SMR) is designed to provide 60 MW of electrical power and cooling capacity, tailored for high-density AI and HPC workloads. The consortium behind the project includes Paragon Energy Solutions, Future-tech, Moonlite, and real estate firm Clayco, which is overseeing design planning to align with operational requirements. If approved, construction will proceed in phases, starting with the datacenter's completion by 2026 using existing grid, geothermal, and solar power at INL. The SMR's deployment is expected later, with Deep Atomic aiming for operations within several years.
This project reflects a broader push to integrate nuclear energy with datacenter infrastructure, addressing growing computational demands while reducing carbon footprints. However, challenges like regulatory approvals and scaling production remain significant hurdles. Experts estimate full realization of SMRs could take until 2035,
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Originally published on The Register on 2/13/2026