Creekstone Energy and EnergySolutions Partner to Assess Nuclear Power Options for AI and Data Infrastructure Growth
Creekstone Energy LLC has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with EnergySolutions to form a strategic partnership focused on evaluating next-generation nuclear power options to support long-term clean energy requirements at the Utah Creekstone Gigasite and potentially additional locations across the United States. The agreement establishes a structured, multi-phase evaluation process to assess the feasibility of integrating at least two gigawatts (GW) of advanced nuclear capacity as part of Creekstone’s broader energy and infrastructure strategy.
The collaboration reflects growing momentum across the U.S. energy sector to explore reliable, large-scale clean power solutions capable of supporting the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and data-center infrastructure. As AI workloads grow more power-intensive and require continuous, high-availability electricity, developers are increasingly turning to diversified energy portfolios that include firm, carbon-free generation sources such as nuclear power.
Under the terms of the non-binding MOU, Creekstone and EnergySolutions will jointly evaluate a wide range of nuclear technologies, including both large-scale reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs), spanning multiple designs and deployment models. The assessment is not limited to any single reactor technology, vendor, or configuration, allowing the parties to consider the full spectrum of next-generation nuclear options currently under development or nearing commercialization.
Building a National-Scale Energy and Data Infrastructure Platform
Creekstone is developing the Utah Creekstone Gigasite as one of the most advanced multi-source energy and data-infrastructure platforms in the country. The site is designed to meet the accelerating demand for electricity driven by hyperscale data centers, AI computing clusters, and digital infrastructure projects that require both scale and reliability.
The company’s long-term vision includes the development of approximately 10 gigawatts of non-nuclear generation capacity at the Gigasite through a diversified portfolio of power and infrastructure technologies. These resources are intended to include a mix of dispatchable and renewable energy assets, supported by advanced transmission, cooling, and grid-integration capabilities.
The potential addition of at least two gigawatts of next-generation nuclear capacity would significantly enhance the site’s ability to deliver consistent, carbon-free baseload power. If advanced, the project could position the Creekstone Gigasite as one of the largest clean-energy hubs in the United States and a cornerstone of Utah’s long-term energy strategy.
Evaluating Nuclear as a Complement to a Multi-Source Strategy
According to Creekstone leadership, the nuclear evaluation is a deliberate step toward refining the company’s long-term energy roadmap rather than a commitment to immediate project development.
“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, Chief Executive Officer of Creekstone Energy. “Nuclear has the potential to complement our multi-source approach and support the growth of large-scale AI and digital-infrastructure development. EnergySolutions’ technical and regulatory expertise gives us confidence that this evaluation will be thorough, professional, and grounded in real-world conditions.”
Nuclear power offers unique advantages for data-center and AI infrastructure, including high capacity factors, long asset lifespans, and the ability to deliver firm power without carbon emissions. However, successful deployment requires careful consideration of regulatory pathways, siting requirements, licensing timelines, and integration with other energy assets—areas where EnergySolutions brings decades of experience.
Phase 1: A Disciplined, Structured Evaluation Process
The MOU outlines an initial “Phase 1” evaluation effort designed to establish clarity, identify risks, and determine whether nuclear options warrant further advancement. During this phase, the parties will focus on several key areas:
- Development of a nuclear program roadmap, including timelines, milestones, and gating decisions tied to feasibility, regulatory progress, and commercial readiness.
- Establishment of a potential commercial operation window, targeting the 2030–2035 timeframe, consistent with advanced nuclear development and licensing cycles.
- Assessment of a broad range of reactor technologies, without restriction to a specific design, to determine which options may be technically and commercially suitable for Gigasite-scale loads.
- Evaluation of site readiness and integration requirements, including transmission interconnections, cooling solutions, land use, and alignment with Creekstone’s multi-source energy architecture.
- Examination of regulatory and licensing pathways, with early-stage analysis of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements and other permitting considerations.
- Identification of commercial structures and delivery models, as well as key technical, regulatory, and financial risks that would inform any future decision-making.
EnergySolutions will contribute its operational, technical, and regulatory expertise throughout the evaluation process. The company is widely recognized as a leader in the U.S. nuclear sector, with extensive experience across the nuclear fuel cycle, licensing, decommissioning, waste management, and project execution.
Leveraging EnergySolutions’ Nuclear Expertise
EnergySolutions’ role in the partnership is to help Creekstone understand the practical realities of deploying nuclear power at scale and to assess what would be required to move from concept to execution.
“Creekstone is approaching this the right way, grounding every step in thorough analysis, clear options, and a disciplined process,” said Pierre Oneid, Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships at EnergySolutions. “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.”
By evaluating multiple reactor technologies and deployment models, the partnership aims to avoid premature technology lock-in and instead focus on solutions that align with market conditions, regulatory readiness, and long-term infrastructure needs.
Supporting the Future of AI and Clean Energy
The Creekstone-EnergySolutions collaboration comes amid heightened national focus on energy security, grid reliability, and the infrastructure required to support next-generation computing. AI-driven data centers are expected to represent one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity demand over the next two decades, placing pressure on utilities, developers, and policymakers to deliver reliable, low-carbon power at unprecedented scale.
While the MOU does not obligate either party to pursue a specific project, technology, or investment, it establishes a clear framework for disciplined evaluation and informed decision-making. If advanced beyond Phase 1, the effort could play a significant role in shaping how nuclear energy supports large-scale digital infrastructure in the United States.
Ultimately, the agreement positions Creekstone Energy and EnergySolutions to assess energy strategies that match the scale, reliability, and sustainability required for one of the world’s most consequential AI-infrastructure developments—while reinforcing nuclear power’s potential role in the evolving clean-energy landscape.
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