Full Breakdown
$100 B AI Data Center Planned for DOE’s Former Paducah Uranium Site
7/30/2026, 12:20:45 AM
Paducah AI Data Center Announcement
On July 29, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a partnership with Brookfield, NextEra Energy, Big Rivers Electric Power Corporation, Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative and Paducah Power System to convert part of the former Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant into a privately funded AI data-center campus. The plan envisions a $100 billion investment that will include dedicated power generation and battery storage.
Background & Context
The 3,556-acre Paducah site, a Cold-War-era uranium enrichment facility that ceased operations in 2013, has been under DOE cleanup since 2014. In 2025 the DOE launched its “American Energy Hubs” initiative, inviting private partners to develop AI-focused data centers on former federal lands. The Paducah project follows similar redevelopments announced for Ohio, Idaho and South Carolina.
Timeline
- 2025 – DOE issued a Request for Offers for Paducah.
- Late 2025 – Brookfield and NextEra were selected to develop the campus and its power resources.
- July 29 2026 – Official announcement of the partnership and project scope.
- 2031 – Construction scheduled for completion.
- 2032 – Full build-out of the data-center and power infrastructure expected.
Data & Statistics
- Investment: Approximately $100 billion, privately funded.
- Compute capacity: Up to 1.2 GW of AI-related load.
- Utility capacity: Up to 1.8 GW of electricity delivered to the grid.
- Jobs: About 8,000 construction jobs and 600 permanent operations jobs projected.
Why It Matters
The project aims to create a “proof point” for AI infrastructure that supplies its own power, avoiding cost shifts to residential and small-business electricity customers. Repurposing the legacy nuclear site is intended to revitalize the local economy and enhance regional energy security.
Official Statements & Responses
Kentucky U.S. Congressman Andy Barr called the investment “historic” and credited the administration’s leadership for securing the partnership.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total dedicated generation capacity, with both figures presented as “up to” values. No anchor AI customer has been identified, and a definitive construction start date remains pending final negotiations and regulatory approvals.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The $100 billion private sector investment in Paducah is historic,” — Congressman Andy Barr
- “This project is a proof point for how AI infrastructure should be built in America,” — John Ketchum, CEO
- “The U.S. government is leveraging its assets — like our federal lands — to add power generation, create jobs, and ensure the United States wins the A.I. race,” — Energy Secretary Chris Wright
What’s Next
The power-service agreement among Big Rivers, Jackson Purchase and Paducah Power System must still be approved by the Kentucky Public Service Commission. Once definitive agreements are executed, construction is slated to begin, with the campus expected to be fully operational by 2032.
