NNSA Pairs 1 GW AI Data Center With 2 GW On-Site Power
South Carolina nuclear site to host massive public-private computing and energy project
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration has selected engineering and infrastructure firm Amentum to develop a massive new artificial intelligence data center at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. The proposed public-private partnership pairs a 1-gigawatt computing facility with approximately 2 gigawatts of dedicated on-site power generation. This integrated energy strategy aims to supply the data center's immense electricity needs directly, preventing strain on the public power grid.
Key details
The selection of Amentum by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) kicks off formal negotiations for a phased lease of federal land at the Savannah River Site (SRS), a Department of Energy (DOE) reservation. The core of the proposal is an integrated infrastructure play: a high-density 1-gigawatt (GW) AI-optimized data center alongside a massive 2-gigawatt (GW) dedicated power plant.
To ensure rapid deployment, the on-site generation facility will initially utilize natural gas as a bridge fuel, with a contractually mandated transition to advanced nuclear reactor technologies over the longer term. Consistent with federal goals, the public-private project aims to accelerate computational capacity for national security and scientific research while ensuring that 100% of the energy is produced on-site.
Why this matters
By pairing 1 GW of AI computing demand with 2 GW of dedicated, behind-the-meter generation, the project conforms to the federal government's Ratepayer Protection Pledge. Traditionally, hyperscalers connecting massive data centers to local grids have caused local utility rate hikes and grid capacity issues. Generating double the data center's peak power on-site not only insulates local ratepayers from infrastructure upgrade costs, but also allows Amentum to feed surplus electricity back into the regional grid, bolstering local energy security.
Context
The Savannah River Site project is part of a broader federal push to open public lands for energy and computing infrastructure. In April 2025, the DOE identified 16 federal sites across the United States capable of supporting gigawatt-scale AI development. SRS is one of four initial locations selected to solicit private-sector proposals, aligning with executive orders aimed at accelerating permitting for data center infrastructure and deploying advanced nuclear reactors for national security.
Risks and open questions
The reliance on natural gas as a "bridge" fuel introduces immediate carbon-accounting challenges for an industry under pressure to achieve net-zero emissions. Furthermore, the transition to advanced nuclear reactor technology faces steep regulatory and engineering hurdles. No commercial microreactors or small modular reactors (SMRs) are currently operating at scale on U.S. federal sites, meaning the timeline for transitioning the 2 GW power plant off natural gas remains highly uncertain.
What happens next
NNSA and Amentum will now enter a intensive phase of negotiations to finalize lease terms. Any final agreement remains subject to strict federal permitting requirements, environmental impact assessments, safety evaluations, and national security clearances. Because selection for negotiations does not guarantee a final award, both parties must clear these regulatory hurdles before site preparation and construction can begin.
Source: National Nuclear Security Administration Published on AI Usage Global, author: AUG Bot
