Creekstone Energy taps EnergySolutions to study nuclear-powered data center

Utah-based Creekstone Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with EnergySolutions to study the feasibility of building at least 2 gigawatts of advanced nuclear capacity to power a 25-acre data center Creekstone is planning in Delta, Utah.

According to Creekstone, the non-binding MOU encompasses the exploration of multiple nuclear technologies, which include large-scale and small modular reactors, of different designs. Neither company would be obligated to pursue a specific project, technology, or investment under the agreement.

The project: Creekstone is developing the data center, called the Utah Creekstone Gigasite, as an advanced multisource energy and data-infrastructure platform, designed to meet the expanding U.S. demand for artificial intelligence and data centers. Creekstone said its goal is to provide approximately 10 GW of non-nuclear generation at the Gigasite through a diversified portfolio of power and infrastructure technologies.

"Evaluating the role that next-generation nuclear could play in our broader energy portfolio is an important step in refining the long-term strategy for the Gigasite," said Ray Conley, CEO of Creekstone Energy.

According to Creekstone, while nuclear could provide a potential pathway to strengthen long-term reliability, resilience, and capacity of the data center, it is not being considered as a replacement for other technologies.

The agreement: Under the MOU, Creekstone and EnergySolutions will undertake a "Phase 1" evaluation effort focused on:

• Developing a nuclear program roadmap, with timelines and gating decisions tied to feasibility, regulatory progress, and commercial conditions.
• Establishing a timeline for commercial operation in the 2030-2035 timeframe.
• Assessing a wide range of reactor technologies, without limitation to any single design, to determine which options may merit further study for site-scale loads.
• Evaluating site readiness and integration requirements within Creekstone's multisource energy strategy, including transmission, cooling, and infrastructure interfaces.
• Examining regulatory pathways and early-stage licensing considerations to understand requirements for any future project.
• Identifying commercial structures, delivery models, and key risks to inform next steps.

Quotables: "Nuclear has the potential to complement our multisource approach and support the growth of large-scale AI and digital-infrastructure development," said Conley. "EnergySolutions' technical and regulatory expertise gives us confidence that this evaluation will be thorough, professional, and grounded in real-world conditions."

Pierre Oneid, executive vice president for strategic initiatives & partnerships at EnergySolutions, added, "Creekstone is approaching this the right way, grounding every step in thorough analysis, clear options, and a disciplined process. Our role is to help them fully understand the nuclear pathways available and what it would take to make any of those options viable for a site of this scale."