Deep Fission underground nuclear reactors

In late June 2026, U.S. startup Deep Fission introduced a concept for small pressurized‑water reactors installed about 1.6 km deep in boreholes at a site in Parsons, Kansas. The design, dubbed a “gravity nuclear reactor,” was promoted as a low‑cost, naturally shielded power source for AI‑driven data‑center workloads, with each unit slated to generate around 15 MW. Initial non‑binding letters of intent indicated interest for up to 18.5 GW, mainly from data‑center operators seeking continuous, high‑capacity electricity.

A few days later, after the company went public, it confirmed that the same 18.5 GW of prospective capacity had been pledged by data‑center developers, industrial‑park operators and co‑development partners. The announcement placed the technology within a broader surge in data‑center investment, as global spending on such infrastructure is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030. Separate industry analysis released on June 28 underscored this trend, noting AI‑driven workloads will drive a more than 250 % rise in data‑center spending through 2030. Italy is earmarking €7.1 billion for projects through 2028, positioning the country as a Mediterranean hub. The rapid growth in power demand and associated water‑usage concerns are prompting operators to explore low‑carbon baseload options such as Deep Fission’s borehole reactors, which could complement advanced cooling and sustainability measures.