Indiana is considering a major expansion of nuclear power generation as the state looks to meet growing electricity demand from data centers, artificial intelligence, and industrial development.
Canadian engineering and nuclear technology company AtkinsRéalis announced Monday that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the State of Indiana and Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative to evaluate the development of up to eight CANDU nuclear reactors.
The proposed facilities could deliver as much as 6 gigawatts (GW) of baseload electricity, potentially establishing a significant new source of nuclear generation in the state.
The agreement marks an initial evaluation rather than a firm investment commitment, with the partners set to examine potential sites, financing arrangements, electricity purchase agreements, and grid infrastructure requirements.
The initiative could also involve constructing smaller natural gas-fired power plants before nuclear capacity becomes operational, allowing additional electricity generation to come online sooner.
The companies will assess opportunities to convert retired or retiring fossil fuel generation sites into nuclear facilities, potentially taking advantage of existing energy infrastructure.
Hoosier Energy, a nonprofit generation and transmission cooperative, supplies wholesale electricity to distribution cooperatives serving more than 700,000 consumers across central and southern Indiana and southeastern Illinois.
The proposal comes as American utilities and technology companies increasingly look to nuclear energy to provide reliable, around-the-clock electricity for power-intensive industries.
Rapid expansion of AI infrastructure, data centers, advanced manufacturing, and electrification is driving renewed interest in large-scale nuclear projects.
AtkinsRéalis is promoting its CANDU technology as a potential solution, citing its ability to operate using natural uranium and accommodate alternative nuclear fuels.
The technology has more than six decades of operational experience, with 34 reactors constructed across four continents.
A fleet-based development strategy could also create opportunities to standardize construction, support domestic nuclear supply chains, and develop a specialized workforce.
The Indiana agreement follows a series of steps by AtkinsRéalis to expand its position in the North American nuclear market.
In June 2026, the company submitted a letter of intent to begin the US regulatory licensing process for CANDU technology.