Deep Atomic Proposes First Fully Integrated Nuclear-Powered AI Data Center Campus at Idaho National Lab
December 2, 2025
In a significant move to address the surging power demands of artificial intelligence, small modular reactor (SMR) developer Deep Atomic has submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy to build what it calls the nation's first fully integrated nuclear-powered AI data center campus. The project, planned for the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), represents a potential blueprint for deploying firm, clean energy to power next-generation computing infrastructure.
The proposal, submitted to the DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy, outlines plans for an integrated energy and data center campus developed by a consortium of companies led by Deep Atomic. Partners include Parker Tide LLC, Clayco, Gleeds, Paragon Energy Solutions, and several technology firms specializing in cooling and AI operations. The companies plan a phased approach, aiming to commence initial data center operations within 24 to 36 months using a combination of grid power, geothermal, and solar energy while Deep Atomic's proprietary MK60 SMR undergoes the regulatory process for design certification, fabrication, and commissioning.
At the heart of the proposal is Deep Atomic's MK60 reactor, a light-water SMR engineered specifically for high-density computing loads. The unit is designed to provide 60 megawatts of electricity alongside 60 megawatts of integrated cooling capacity, with a total thermal output of 200MW. William Theron, CEO of Deep Atomic, emphasized the design's intent, stating, "The MK60 is engineered specifically for AI and HPC loads – this is not a repurposed power plant, but a dual-output SMR built for compute. By combining 60MW of clean electricity with 60MW of cooling, we unlock new levels of efficiency and resilience."
If approved, the project is positioned to become a national demonstration site, providing a replicable model for federal campuses, national laboratories, and private hyperscale operators. The consortium claims the modular MK-series architecture will allow for future expansion through additional reactor and data center blocks. Shane Todd, senior program director at Parker Tide, framed the proposal as strategically critical, saying, "The US cannot meet its strategic AI ambitions without firm, clean, and scalable power. Our consortium is uniquely positioned to deliver a secure, DOE-aligned model that integrates advanced nuclear energy with hyperscale AI infrastructure."
The initiative aligns with broader federal efforts to advance nuclear energy for next-generation applications. In August 2025, the INL was designated as the location for the DOE's Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program, which aims to support the construction and operation of several advanced test reactors. Deep Atomic's proposal, following its official SMR launch late last year, seeks to directly couple this emerging nuclear technology with the exponential power requirements of AI data centers, cryptocurrency operations, and traditional cloud services.
Source: datacenterdynamics
Deep Atomic Proposes First Fully Integrated Nuclear-Powered AI Data Center Campus at Idaho National Lab
