A 1-gigawatt data center is planned at Savannah River Site. What South Carolina residents should watch

The federal government has selected Amentum to negotiate a phased lease for a proposed artificial-intelligence data center and dedicated energy project at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina.

The National Nuclear Security Administration announced the selection on July 20, 2026. The proposal calls for a 1-gigawatt data center supported by approximately 2 gigawatts of on-site generation. The immediate action is a negotiation, not a final lease award, construction approval or operating permit.

What was selected

Amentum, an engineering and technology services company, was chosen to enter negotiations with NNSA for a phased lease at the federal site. Independent industry reporting identifies Atlanta-based DC BLOX as the proposed data-center development partner.

If negotiations succeed, the arrangement could establish a data-center campus in Aiken County. The federal announcement does not establish a construction schedule, final investment amount, job total or completed development plan.

How large is the proposed project?

A 1-gigawatt data center would require an unusually large power supply. The proposal also includes approximately 2 gigawatts of on-site generation.

NNSA says the project is intended to provide enough dedicated power for the facility while increasing the availability of power to the electric grid. That is a stated project objective, not a verified result.

For residents, the important point is that the proposal involves both digital infrastructure and a major power-development effort. That makes electricity supply, natural-gas infrastructure, transmission, land use and environmental review central issues—not secondary details.

Natural gas first, possible nuclear power later

NNSA describes natural gas as a bridge to possible nuclear energy. The available announcement and independent reporting do not identify a reactor type, final nuclear technology or committed nuclear facility.

Any nuclear component remains a concept that would require additional decisions, technical review, permits and safety and security evaluations. Residents should not treat the July 20 selection as confirmation that a reactor will be built or operated at the site.

What has not been approved

NNSA says selection for negotiations does not constitute a final lease award. Any agreement would depend on successful negotiations, applicable permitting requirements, safety and security evaluations and other federal approvals.

That means construction, commercial operation and energy generation have not begun. A federal land-selection decision also does not eliminate regulatory requirements involving air, water, environmental protection, safety or security.

Why the project matters beyond Aiken County

The Savannah River Site occupies about 310 square miles across Aiken, Barnwell and Allendale counties and already operates under federal and South Carolina environmental oversight. The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services provides public information on the site’s environmental monitoring, waste management and regulatory processes, including air- and water-permitting programs.

South Carolina is already pursuing other large data-center developments. The state Department of Commerce says QTS plans a $1 billion facility in York County, and the Coordinating Council for Economic Development awarded York County a $200,000 site-preparation grant. That example shows why future public records on infrastructure, incentives and local costs will matter if the Savannah River proposal advances.

The state and local consequences of the Savannah River proposal remain unresolved. Key questions include whether new gas, transmission or water infrastructure would be needed; how emissions and water use would be regulated; how the project would coexist with the site’s existing national-security missions; what workforce commitments would be made; and whether any public costs or incentives would be involved.

NNSA says the proposed on-site generation is intended to keep the project from shifting electricity costs to existing utility customers. That is a stated federal goal, not a verified outcome. Future agreements and filings would need to explain how costs, grid effects and any infrastructure obligations are allocated.

What South Carolina residents should watch next

• A final lease or further announcements about the negotiations.
• Permit applications and environmental-review documents.
• Safety and security evaluations connected to the site and any proposed energy technology.
• Plans for natural-gas supply, transmission, water use and grid connections.
• Details on workforce commitments, local development and any state or local incentives.
• Public notices, comment opportunities and documents describing how the project would affect existing Savannah River Site missions.

For now, the verified development is the federal selection of Amentum to negotiate—not the approval of a 1-gigawatt data center or a nuclear power project. The next public records and regulatory filings will determine whether the proposal moves from a federal land opportunity to an actual South Carolina development.

Sources

• NNSA: Amentum selection and proposed project scale
• Data Center Dynamics: Amentum and DC BLOX roles
• South Carolina Department of Environmental Services: Savannah River Site
• South Carolina Department of Commerce: QTS data-center development

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