HGP Intelligent Energy aims to repurpose decommissioned US naval reactors to supply low-cost, reliable power to AI-driven data centres, sparking debate over safety, regulation, and innovation in nuclear technology.
A Texas firm has proposed an unconventional route to meet the escalating power demands of AI-era data centres: repurposing two naval reactors from the soon-to-be-decommissioned USS Nimitz to provide grid-scale electricity at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
According to Bloomberg, HGP Intelligent Energy submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy to take custody of two Westinghouse A4W pressurised water reactors originally used to propel and power the Nimitz. HGP says the pair could yield between about 450MW and 520MW of electrical output, a capacity it argues could be redirected to boost data-centre supply rather than to ship propulsion. The company estimates development would require up to $2.1 billion in private capital and intends to apply for a DOE loan guarantee to underwrite the project, according to reports by Tom’s Hardware and Forbes.
HGP frames the economics as compelling: the conversion is estimated at roughly $1 million to $4 million per megawatt, materially cheaper than the $8 million to $10 million per megawatt cited for building a new large civilian reactor, according to the initial reporting. The reactors are slated to be removed and transferred to Oak Ridge National Laboratory during the carrier’s decommissioning, deactivation and defuelling process, with industry reporting that preparatory work at Huntington Ingalls Industries facilities is being funded through contract modifications valued at about $33.4–$33.5 million and is expected to complete by March 2026.
The proposal arrives amid growing interest from both nuclear developers and hyperscale cloud operators in smaller, factory-built nuclear technologies. Industry data and reporting show multiple cloud and data-centre operators, Amazon, Google, Oracle, Switch, Data4 and Equinix among them, have signed long-term offtake agreements with small modular reactor or microreactor vendors as they seek reliable, low-carbon baseload for AI workloads. Separate initiatives, such as Last Energy’s plan to deploy multiple 20MW microreactors in Texas to serve ERCOT-area data centres, underscore the wider market focus on modular nuclear options for distributed data-centre supply.
The HGP proposal is notable for its use of decommissioned naval reactors rather than newly manufactured civilian designs. Oak Ridge’s research facilities offer an established technical environment for evaluating and adapting complex nuclear technology, but repurposing military reactors for civilian grid service would raise regulatory, safety, licensing and non-proliferation questions that are not covered in the filings cited. HGP’s cost and timeline assumptions also rely on successful regulatory approvals and the federal loan guarantee sought from the DOE.
The USS Nimitz, launched in June 1975, is the first of the class to enter decommissioning; reports indicate it will be the first of roughly ten nuclear-powered supercarriers scheduled for similar processes over coming decades. The carrier’s two A4W reactors currently produce the ship’s shaft horsepower and about 100MW of ship-service electricity; HGP’s proposal would involve reconfiguring systems and integrating the reactors into a civilian energy facility at Oak Ridge.
If pursued, the project would sit alongside a wave of civilian microreactor and SMR proposals targeting data-centre customers, each seeking to reconcile high, steady power demand with the need for low-carbon, resilient supply. HGP’s plan highlights one possible pathway, reusing existing naval assets, to shorten lead times and reduce capital intensity compared with ground-up nuclear plants, but it will now depend on DOE review, potential loan guarantees, and the complex logistics of naval reactor removal, transport and civilian reconfiguration.
- https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/us-firm-proposes-repurposing-of-us-navy-aircraft-carrier-microreactors-to-power-data-centers-report/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/startup-proposes-using-retired-navy-nuclear-reactors-from-aircraft-carriers-and-submarines-for-ai-data-centers-firm-asks-u-s-doe-for-a-loan-guarantee-to-start-the-project – HGP Intelligent Energy, a Texas-based firm, has proposed repurposing retired U.S. Navy nuclear reactors from aircraft carriers and submarines to power AI data centers. The company has submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to repurpose two Westinghouse A4W naval fission pressurized water reactors, which could generate up to 520 MW of power. The reactors would be sent to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory after removal from the USS Nimitz during its decommissioning. The project is expected to cost between $1 million and $4 million per megawatt, totaling up to $2.1 billion in private funds. HGP plans to apply for a loan guarantee from the DOE to support the development. ([tomshardware.com](https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/startup-proposes-using-retired-navy-nuclear-reactors-from-aircraft-carriers-and-submarines-for-ai-data-centers-firm-asks-u-s-doe-for-a-loan-guarantee-to-start-the-project?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2026-01-02/nimitz-nuclear-reactor-data-center-20259929.html – HGP Intelligent Energy has proposed repurposing two nuclear reactors from the USS Nimitz to power a data center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. The reactors could generate up to 520 megawatts of power, which HGP suggests could be used to boost energy for data centers. The reactors are expected to be sent to Oak Ridge National Laboratory after removal from the carrier during its decommissioning process. The project is estimated to cost between $1 million and $4 million per megawatt, totaling up to $2.1 billion in private funds. HGP plans to apply for a loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy to support the development. ([stripes.com](https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2026-01-02/nimitz-nuclear-reactor-data-center-20259929.html?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2025/12/29/nimitz-class-supercarrier-nuclear-reactors-could-power-ai-data-centers/ – HGP Intelligent Energy has proposed repurposing two retired U.S. Navy nuclear reactors from the USS Nimitz to power an artificial intelligence data center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. The reactors could deliver 450 to 520 megawatts of power, which is a fraction of the cost of building a new civilian nuclear power plant. The project is estimated to cost between $1 million and $4 million per megawatt, totaling up to $2 billion in private capital. HGP plans to file for a loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy to support the initiative. ([forbes.com](https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2025/12/29/nimitz-class-supercarrier-nuclear-reactors-could-power-ai-data-centers/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.utilitydive.com/news/last-energy-microreactors-texas-ercot-data-centers/741268/ – Last Energy, an advanced nuclear technology developer, plans to deploy 30 microreactors totaling 600 MW to serve data center customers across the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) territory. The 20-MWe units would be deployed in phases, eventually adding 600 MW of electric capacity to the ERCOT grid in the coming years. This initiative aims to provide a reliable and efficient energy source for data centers, addressing the escalating power needs of AI infrastructure. ([utilitydive.com](https://www.utilitydive.com/news/last-energy-microreactors-texas-ercot-data-centers/741268/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.zona-militar.com/en/2025/12/23/hii-will-upgrade-its-facilities-for-the-decommissioning-and-dismantling-of-the-nuclear-powered-aircraft-carrier-uss-nimitz-of-the-u-s-navy/ – Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has been awarded a contract modification valued at $33.5 million to upgrade facilities for the decommissioning and dismantling of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. The work includes preparations for inactivation, including the removal of the carrier’s nuclear reactor, and is expected to be completed by March 2026. This process is part of the carrier’s decommissioning, deactivation, and defueling. ([zona-militar.com](https://www.zona-militar.com/en/2025/12/23/hii-will-upgrade-its-facilities-for-the-decommissioning-and-dismantling-of-the-nuclear-powered-aircraft-carrier-uss-nimitz-of-the-u-s-navy/?utm_source=openai))
- https://theaviationist.com/2025/12/24/uss-nimitz-decommissioning-in-sight/ – Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has been awarded a contract modification worth $33.4 million to finalize advanced planning ahead of the decommissioning process of the USS Nimitz. The work includes preparations for inactivation, including the removal of the carrier’s nuclear reactor, and is expected to be completed by March 2026. This marks the first of ten nuclear-powered supercarriers expected to undergo a similar process over the next few decades. ([theaviationist.com](https://theaviationist.com/2025/12/24/uss-nimitz-decommissioning-in-sight/?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is recent, with the earliest known publication date being December 24, 2025. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No earlier versions with differing figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content has been republished across reputable outlets, including Bloomberg and Forbes, indicating a high level of originality. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative includes updated data and is not recycled from older material. No similar content appeared more than 7 days earlier. The update justifies a higher freshness score and should not be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes in the narrative are unique and do not appear in earlier material. No identical quotes were found in previous publications, indicating originality. No variations in quote wording were identified. No online matches were found, raising the score and flagging the content as potentially original or exclusive.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from reputable organisations, including Bloomberg and Forbes, which strengthens its reliability. The company mentioned, HGP Intelligent Energy, has a verifiable online presence, including a website and news coverage, confirming its legitimacy. No unverifiable entities or fabricated information were identified.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The proposal to repurpose retired naval reactors for data centres is plausible and aligns with current energy and technological trends. The narrative is covered by multiple reputable outlets, including Bloomberg and Forbes, supporting its credibility. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, enhancing its plausibility. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic, with no strange phrasing or incorrect spelling variants. The structure is focused and relevant, with no excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is appropriately formal and resembles typical corporate or official language.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent, original, and originates from reputable sources. The proposal is plausible and aligns with current energy and technological trends. No significant credibility risks were identified, and the content is consistent with the region and topic.
