Oklo’s 15–75 MW Aurora Microreactor Breaks Ground at Idaho National Lab
Oklo’s 15–75 MW Aurora microreactor has broken ground at Idaho National Laboratory, with the company valued at $9.8 B versus NuScale’s $3.9 B. Data center electricity demand could exceed 580 TWh by 2028, and operators have committed billions to SMRs to secure on-site power and bypass grid delays.
1. Aurora Microreactor Groundbreaking
Oklo has initiated construction of its 15–75 MW Aurora microreactor at Idaho National Laboratory, marking its first on-site SMR project. The modular reactor is factory-built to reduce construction timelines to five to seven years and designed to deliver continuous power directly to adjacent facilities.
2. Market Position Vs. NuScale
Oklo’s $9.8 B valuation underscores investor confidence compared to NuScale’s $3.9 B market cap. With smaller capacity tailored to data center scales, Oklo aims to attract hyperscale operators facing interconnection delays of up to five years.
3. Data Center Power Demand Surge
U.S. data center electricity consumption reached 176 TWh in 2023 and could surpass 580 TWh by 2028 as AI workloads expand. Major operators and utility consortiums have committed nearly $9 B to SMR projects to secure reliable on-site generation.
4. Commercialization Timeline and Challenges
Despite relying on proven submarine-derived pressurized water technology, SMR deployment faces regulatory and financing hurdles including environmental reviews and design certifications. Oklo targets late-2020s for Aurora’s commercial operation, with additional units to scale alongside data center growth.