US' retired nuclear reactors from warships could power AI data centers

A U.S. power company, HGP Intelligent Energy LLC, has proposed repurposing retired nuclear reactors from Navy aircraft carriers and submarines to power AI data centers in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. These naval reactors, originally designed for reliable, long-lasting energy in military vessels, could provide 450-520 megawatts of continuous, carbon-free electricity—enough to power approximately 360,000 homes. The company argues that adapting these reactors offers a cost-effective and faster alternative to building new nuclear plants, with rewiring costs estimated at $1 million to $4 million per megawatt. The plan includes revenue sharing with the government and establishing a decommissioning fund, and is being developed in coordination with the U.S. Department of Energy, potentially relying on federal loan guarantees and private investment. The proposal reflects a broader trend of revisiting nuclear power, alongside renewables, to meet the growing electricity demands of energy-intensive computing, especially AI workloads. However, experts express skepticism due to challenges