The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Request for Application (RFA) and is seeking proposals from US companies to build and power AI data centres at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). DOE said this is the first solicitation to promote American leadership in AI and leverages federal land assets to quickly deploy cutting-edge data centres and energy generation projects. “This will drive private sector funding, grow the nation’s AI computing capabilities, and help scale-up emerging power sources to reliably meet future energy demands.”
Acting Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Mike Goff noted: “The United States must win the global AI race to ensure a higher quality of life for every American. Today’s solicitation accelerates President Trump’s aggressive pace to deliver the necessary AI infrastructure and reliable power assets needed to transform scientific research that can help us solve some of the most complex challenges facing the world today.”
Idaho National Laboratory is one of four sites identified in July by DOE for AI infrastructure and generation projects on federal land. The other three were Oak Ridge Reservation, Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant and Savannah River Site. DOE’s Idaho Operations Office is now seeking proposals from US companies to potentially enter into one or more long-term leasing agreements at the site that would be solely funded by the applicants.
The DOE site office previously identified approximately 44,000 acres of land for AI infrastructure projects and will prioritise applications that integrate innovative energy generation and storage projects with AI data centres, which could include advanced nuclear reactors, enhanced geothermal systems, and cold underground thermal energy storage.
Applicants will be responsible for building, operating, and decommissioning each infrastructure project and must secure utility interconnection agreements for new power generation and storage systems. Proposals will be competitively evaluated for technological readiness, financial viability, and detailed plans to complete regulatory and permitting requirements. Initial applications are due by 7 November with subsequent applications allowed on a rolling basis.
Read more: Texas to host nuclear-powered AI grid
