A nuclear startup has proposed a large-scale data center complex powered by hundreds of small reactors on public land in Utah.

Valar Atomics submitted plans for Project Beehive on more than 9,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management land near Price. The project would feature data centers alongside 456 microreactors capable of generating 9.6 gigawatts of electricity, exceeding Utah's average statewide power output of about 4 gigawatts.

The proposal also includes facilities for nuclear fuel production and waste storage. Non-nuclear construction could begin by the end of this year, with the first reactors potentially online in 2028. Valar Atomics has additionally sought about 650 acres of state land for the effort.

The plan aligns with broader state and federal efforts to expand domestic nuclear capacity. Utah Governor Spencer Cox has championed nuclear development through initiatives like Operation Gigawatt, aiming to attract private investment and create high-paying jobs. The Trump administration has selected Utah as one of five states for potential Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses focused on fuel fabrication, enrichment, and advanced reactors.

Nuclear power offers reliable baseload energy suited for energy-intensive data centers, which are driving rising electricity demand nationwide. Proponents highlight its role in supporting economic growth and reducing reliance on intermittent sources.

The Salt Lake Tribune first reported aspects of the state land request last week. Federal review of the larger BLM proposal is now underway.