U.S. Department of Energy Plans AI Data Center Campus at Idaho National Laboratory
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is inviting proposals from American companies to develop and power AI data centers at Idaho National Laboratory. This initiative aims to encourage private-sector investment to expand the nation’s AI computing infrastructure and address future energy demands.
The DOE’s Idaho Operations Office is offering opportunities for companies to enter into long-term leasing agreements for development at the site. These projects would be entirely funded by the applicant companies. Idaho National Laboratory is one of four federal locations designated by the DOE for AI infrastructure and energy generation projects. The other designated sites include the Oak Ridge Reservation in Tennessee, the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Kentucky, and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina.
Approximately 44,000 acres at the Idaho site have been identified as suitable for infrastructure related to AI data centers. Potential developments could involve advanced nuclear reactors, enhanced geothermal systems, and underground thermal energy storage systems designed specifically for cooling and energy management in data centers.
This effort reflects a broader push by the DOE to integrate AI and energy technologies while utilizing federal land to accelerate innovation in both domains.
