The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Request for Application (RFA) seeking proposals from U.S. companies to build and power AI data centers at Idaho National Laboratory. The solicitation is the first to be released under the current administration and aligns with the mission to promote American leadership in AI.
The Idaho National Laboratory is one of four sites identified by the DOE for AI infrastructure and energy generation projects on federal land. The other sites chosen are Oak Ridge Reservation, Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, and Savannah River Site. Each will leverage federal land assets to quickly deploy cutting-edge data centers and energy generation projects, drive private sector funding, grow the nation’s AI computing capabilities, and help scale-up emerging power sources to reliably meet future energy demands.
The DOE’s Idaho Operations Office is seeking proposals from U.S. companies to potentially enter into one or more long-term agreements at the site, which will be funded by the applicants. Approximately 44,000 acres of land at the site have been identified for AI infrastructure projects.
The solicitation will prioritize applications that integrate innovative energy generation and storage projects with AI data centers. This could include, but is not limited to, advanced nuclear reactors, enhanced geothermal systems, or cold underground thermal energy storage. The proposals will be competitively evaluated for technological readiness, financial viability, and detailed plans to complete regulatory and permitting requirements.
Applicants are responsible for building, operating, and decommissioning each infrastructure project and must secure utility interconnection agreements for new power generation and storage systems.
Initial applications are due by Nov.7, while subsequent applications will be allowed on a rolling basis. The DOE will sponsor a virtual industry day event on Sept. 26, to learn more about the solicitation process. Advanced registration is required, and potential attendees should email colemarb@id.doe.gov for more information regarding the event. More information about the RFA can be found here.
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