U.S. Energy Department Seeks Proposals for AI Data Centers, Energy Projects at Oak Ridge

OAK RIDGE, TN — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management and Office of Science today issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking proposals from companies to build and power AI data centers at DOE’s Oak Ridge Reservation.

This is a solicitation released under the Trump Administration’s effort to promote American leadership in AI and is aligned with executive orders, Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence and Unleashing American Energy, which leverage federal land assets to quickly deploy data centers and energy generation projects.

The Oak Ridge Reservation is one of four sites identified by the Department for AI infrastructure and generation projects on federal land. DOE’s Office of Science and Office of Environmental Management are now seeking proposals from U.S. companies to potentially enter into one or more long-term leasing agreements at the site that would be solely funded by the applicants. 

“This RFP represents more than a ground lease for AI data center development, it offers U.S. companies a potential chance to anchor their partnership with one of our nation’s greatest assets, our National Labs. From its Manhattan project roots to its present leadership in advanced computing, Oak Ridge exemplifies the continuum of American innovation that will help power the AI revolution,” said Under Secretary for Science Dr. Darío Gil. “With President Trump’s leadership, the Department is advancing America’s energy abundance together with the gold standard science of our labs to secure U.S. leadership in the new age of artificial intelligence and energy dominance.”

“As one of the original Manhattan Project sites, Oak Ridge is now poised to play a role in what has been dubbed Manhattan Project 2.0 as the Department ushers in a golden era of American energy to fuel the AI race,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Environmental Management Joel Bradburne. “This is the next step forward in the transformation from nuclear remediation site to nuclear renaissance hub. The Department of Energy is excited to partner with the best of American industry to bring this vision to reality.”

Two sites are available for consideration on the Oak Ridge Reservation, one at the East Tennessee Technology Park and the other on land adjacent to Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Applicants will be responsible for building, operating, and decommissioning each infrastructure project and must secure utility interconnection agreements. Proposals will be competitively evaluated for technological readiness, financial viability, and detailed plans to complete regulatory and permitting requirements. 

Proposals are due by December 1, 2025. The Department will sponsor an industry day event on October 15, 2025, for applicants to learn more about the solicitation process, requirements outlined in the RFP, and tour the sites available for consideration. Registration is required and potential attendees should email Steve Cooke at steve.cooke@orem.doe.gov for more information. 

Additional information on the RFP can be found HERE.