EnergySolutions and another Utah-based company, Creekstone Energy, have teamed up to explore nuclear power options for data centers, the companies said last week.
Creekstone and EnergySolutions said in a Dec. 11 press release they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore advanced nuclear options at the Utah Creekstone Gigasite in Delta, Utah and possibly other locations.
The non-binding MOU outlines a process to study the feasibility of developing 2,000 megawatts or more from advanced nuclear capacity such as small modular reactors (SMRs), according to the release. The project is targeted to come online in the 2030s.
“Evaluating the role that next-generation nuclear could play in our broader energy portfolio is an important step in refining the long-term strategy for the Gigasite,” Ray Conley, CEO of Creekstone Energy said in the release. “Nuclear has the potential to complement our multi-source approach and support the growth of large-scale AI [artificial intelligence] and digital-infrastructure development. EnergySolutions’ technical and regulatory expertise gives us confidence that this evaluation will be thorough, professional, and grounded in real-world conditions.”
The MOU encompasses exploration of multiple nuclear technologies, which include large-scale and small modular reactors (SMRs), of different designs.
The state of Utah is seeking to become a nuclear energy hub.