Utah’s Governor Spencer Cox revealed Operation Gigawatt in October 2024, a bold plan to double the state’s energy capacity by 2034. The initiative aims to fix a growing energy problem. Demand is rising, but supply is shrinking. The plan focuses on better transmission, expanding existing sources, and developing new ones, including nuclear energy.
Brigham City has been chosen as the hub for a full-scale nuclear energy ecosystem. It sits in Northern Utah’s defense and aerospace corridor. The project will deploy Holtec International’s SMR-300 small modular reactors. Plans call for roughly four to 10 reactors in the area. The site was selected after environmental, engineering, and permitting studies, along with public input.
The SMR-300 is a pressurized light water reactor. It produces 300 megawatts of electric output per unit. It’s built on 80 years of proven reactor technology. It runs 24/7, making it a reliable baseload power source. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Utah DEQ, INPO, and WANO all regulate it. It can reportedly serve both civilian and military power needs.
Several key partners are driving the project. Holtec International supplies the reactor technology. Hi Tech Solutions leads manufacturing, training, and workforce development. Governor Cox leads state efforts. Brigham City Mayor DJ Bott represents local government. The project brings together government, industry, and community in one collaborative model.
The economic impact is significant. Private investment stands at $750 million. The project’s expected to create an estimated 700 construction jobs early on. It’ll also support roughly 650 long-term jobs in manufacturing, operations, and maintenance. That adds up to approximately 1,300 jobs by 2034. Over the decade, the broader ecosystem could generate an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 jobs.
Workforce development is a big part of the plan. Hi Tech Solutions is building educational pipelines and a CERT program. A manufacturing facility’s expected to be operational by 2027 or 2028. A permanent training facility’s planned for 2028. The first reactor should come online in the early 2030s. Fleet deployment across the Mountain West is targeted for the 2030s.
The project will undergo full state and federal review, including the National Environmental Policy Act process and oversight from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Safety, transparency, and public trust serve as the guiding standards for all phases of development. Utah’s broader nuclear momentum is also reflected in concurrent projects, including TerraPower’s memorandum of understanding with the Utah Office of Energy Development to explore siting of a Natrium reactor.
References
- https://www.bcutah.gov/article/2553268
- https://www.ans.org/news/2025-11-19/article-7549/operation-gigawatt-looks-to-brigham-city-holtec-and-hi-tech-solutions/
- https://introl.com/blog/utah-nuclear-data-center-operation-gigawatt-december-2025
- https://www.utahbusiness.com/press-releases/2025/11/18/utah-industry-leaders-announce-nuclear-energy-partnership-brigham-city/
- https://www.exchangemonitor.com/utah-selects-brigham-city-to-become-nuclear-hub/?printmode=1
- https://www.buildbrighamcity.com
- https://energy.utah.gov/homepage/about-us/operation-gigawatt/
