Brookfield AI data center at the former Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant
The federal government chose Brookfield to build a huge AI data center on about 600 acres at the old Paducah uranium plant. It would use about 1.8 gigawatts and get power from a new 2-gigawatt gas power plant. Officials say it would use less than 5 million gallons of Ohio River water a day. It is set to open in stages from 2028 to 2031.
Where things stand: The U.S. Department of Energy picked Brookfield in July 2026. The power deal still needs Kentucky Public Service Commission approval. First parts could open in 2028.
🕒 Latest update (July 29, 2026): The Department of Energy announced Brookfield will develop a $100 billion AI data center and gas power complex at the Paducah site.
What we know
- 📍 WhereAbout 600 acres of federal land at the former Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, west of Paducah, Unincorporated McCracken County, McCracken County
- 🏢 CompanyBrookfield Asset Management
- 🏛️ Owned byBrookfield
- 🌳 Size600 acres
- ⚡ Power it needs1,800 megawatts (about as much as 1,440,000 homes)
- 🔌 Where the power comes fromA new 2-gigawatt natural gas power plant built by NextEra Energy at or near the site, plus up to 2.6 gigawatts of batteries. Big Rivers Electric and Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative would provide service.
- 💧 WaterOhio River
- ❄️ Coolingclosed-loop cooling with recirculated water (developer/DOE statement)
- 💵 Cost$100 billion
- 👷 Jobs promised600
❓ Still unanswered
Nobody has answered these in public yet. Can you help find out?
- Where exactly will the new gas power plant be built, and what air permits will it need? 🙋 I'll find out
- Which tech company will use the Paducah data center? 🙋 I'll find out
- Will local governments give tax breaks? 🙋 I'll find out
- How much water will it use on hot days? 🙋 I'll find out
What happened so far
- July 2025The Department of Energy named the Paducah site as one of four federal sites for private AI data center and power projects.
- July 29, 2026The Department of Energy announced Brookfield will develop a $100 billion AI data center and gas power complex at the Paducah site.
An aerial photo of the area.
Where this comes from
- $100B data center, gas-fired power plant to be developed around Paducah DOE site · WKMS · July 29, 2026
- Hyperscale data center, natural gas-fired project planned for Paducah's former nuclear plant · Kentucky Lantern · July 29, 2026
- Private-sector data center plans advance for Paducah and Savannah River sites · American Nuclear Society · July 31, 2026
See something wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.