As the artificial intelligence boom places unprecedented strain on power grids, tech companies and energy innovators are scrambling for reliable, high-density, and carbon-free electricity sources. A novel proposal from a Texas-based company suggests looking not to the future of reactor design, but to the proven past of U.S. naval power. HGP Intelligent Energy has formally asked the U.S. Department of Energy to support a plan that would give a second life to retired military reactors, repurposing them to fuel the next generation of computing.
The Genesis of a Nuclear-Powered AI Plan
The proposal, submitted under the banner of President Donald Trump's "Genesis Mission," targets the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee as a potential site. HGP's vision involves acquiring two decommissioned U.S. Navy nuclear reactors, refurbishing them, and installing them in a hardened, land-based facility. The goal is to generate a constant 450 to 520 megawatts of power specifically for AI data center operations. This initiative represents a potential first: the conversion of military-grade nuclear technology for civilian, commercial energy use.
Proposed Reactor Types & Sources:
- A4W Reactor (Westinghouse): Used on Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carriers (CVNs). The USS Nimitz (commissioned 1975) is cited as nearing retirement.
- S8G Reactor (General Electric): Used on Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). Nearly one-third of this class is reported as already decommissioned.
Sourcing Power from Naval History
The reactors in question are workhorses of the U.S. fleet. The primary candidates are the Westinghouse A4W reactors that power Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and the General Electric S8G reactors used in Los Angeles-class attack submarines. These vessels have a long service history; the USS Nimitz entered service in 1975 and is on its final deployment, while many Los Angeles-class submarines have already been retired. The World Nuclear Association notes the U.S. Navy's impressive safety record, having operated over 100 reactors for more than five decades without a radiologic accident, lending credibility to their reliability for a new mission.
A Calculated Cost and Speed Advantage
HGP estimates the repurposing cost at USD 1 million to USD 4 million per megawatt. While this is a significant investment, the company argues it is a fraction of the cost of constructing a new traditional nuclear plant or even the small modular reactors (SMRs) being explored by tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. The total project is projected to cost between USD 1.8 billion and USD 2.1 billion, for which HGP plans to seek a federal loan guarantee. Beyond cost, the major appeal is speed. These reactors are already designed, built, and proven. HGP claims this approach could shave years, if not a decade, off the permitting and construction timelines associated with building nuclear facilities from scratch.
Projected Financials & Scale:
- Power Output: 450 - 520 Megawatts (MW)
- Repurposing Cost: USD 1 million - USD 4 million per MW
- Total Project Cost: USD 1.8 billion - USD 2.1 billion
- Key Financial Mechanisms: Seeking a U.S. DOE loan guarantee; plans for a government revenue-sharing scheme and a dedicated decommissioning fund.
Navigating the Challenges of a Second Life
The proposal is not without substantial hurdles. Critics and regulators will scrutinize the immense challenges of safely transporting, refurbishing, and relicensing aging reactors for a stationary, grid-connected role. Managing the nuclear waste from these reactors over the long term remains a complex and expensive issue, acknowledged by HGP's plan to establish a dedicated decommissioning fund. The political and public perception of repurposing military nuclear assets for commercial energy, especially near a major national lab, will also be a significant factor. The company believes regulatory approval could be streamlined due to the reactors' military pedigree, but oversight from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the DOE will be extensive.
Contextual Comparison:
- Claimed Advantage vs. New Build: Presented as a fraction of the cost of building a new nuclear power plant or commercial Small Modular Reactor (SMR).
- Claimed Advantage vs. Disposal: Offers a productive alternative to dismantling and disposing of reactors at sites like the DOE's Hanford Site, a process noted as being "insanely expensive."
A New Energy Paradigm for the AI Age
If successful, this project could establish a new model for sustainable, high-density power. It offers a potential solution to the grid strain caused by AI data centers, providing decades of stable, carbon-free baseload power. Furthermore, it gives a practical and productive second life to high-value assets that would otherwise face a costly and complex disposal process. As Gregory Forero, HGP's chief executive, stated, "We already know how to do this safely and at scale." The coming months will reveal if regulators and investors agree, potentially turning the engines of past naval supremacy into the power plants for future digital intelligence.