Manhattan Project site now aims to power AI race against China
The United States is embarking on a new mission to dominate artificial intelligence (AI) before China does, with the help of a top-secret worksite that was previously used in the ‘Manhattan Project’ to develop the atomic bomb during World War II. The first phase of the country’s latest uranium enrichment facility opened in Oak Ridge, Tennessee in May, with the aim of powering the nuclear reactors that AI data centers rely on for energy.
Orano USA CEO Jean-Luc Palayer emphasized the importance of powering AI in order for the United States to lead in this technology. With the opening of the new enrichment facility in Oak Ridge, the country is taking a significant step forward in this new mission. Tennessee lawmakers joined Palayer for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has reported that 99% of U.S. nuclear fuel is imported from other countries, with Russia, Canada, Australia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan being the main sources. In an effort to reduce dependence on foreign sources, the U.S. banned the import of uranium products from Russia in May 2024, with waivers available until 2028.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee highlighted the importance of winning the nuclear energy renaissance war in America to prevent losing the AI and energy wars to China and Russia. President Trump signed four executive orders aimed at quadrupling domestic nuclear energy production by 2050, including deadlines for reports on strengthening uranium conversion capacity and streamlining production processes.
China, on the other hand, has ambitious plans to build 100 new nuclear reactors by 2035, while the U.S. has only constructed three in the last 30 years. Despite rapid growth in China’s nuclear capacity, nuclear power still only accounts for about 5% of the country’s power generation, compared to 18% in the United States.
With AI data centers expected to consume a significant amount of energy in the coming years, the Department of Energy estimates that they will use about 12% of U.S. energy annually by 2028. This underscores the urgency for the U.S. to ramp up domestic nuclear energy production in order to meet the growing demand for reliable and sustainable energy sources.
The opening of the new uranium enrichment facility in Oak Ridge marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to secure its energy future and maintain its leadership in AI technology. By investing in nuclear energy and infrastructure, the U.S. aims to stay ahead in the global race for technological dominance.
