Valar Atomics proposes massive nuclear-powered data center project in Utah

Valar Atomics has proposed ‘Project Beehive,’ a massive industrial initiative near Price, Utah, that aims to combine data centers with a large-scale fleet of microreactors. The startup plans to utilize approximately 9,000 acres of federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management to host 456 small nuclear reactors.

These reactors are intended to provide a combined electrical output of roughly 9.6 gigawatts to power AI data centers, while also generating thermal heat for other industrial uses. The project model focuses on mass-producing 25-megawatt units in series to allow for faster deployment and better cost control compared to traditional large-scale nuclear plants. The proposal also includes facilities for nuclear fuel production and waste management.

Construction of non-nuclear components is slated to begin as early as this year, with the first reactors expected to be operational by 2028. The scale of the project has drawn concern from local environmental groups, such as the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance and the Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah, regarding the extensive use of public lands.