Hailey
Kansas is officially preparing to break ground on the world’s first mile-deep nuclear reactor, a revolutionary project that could transform global clean-energy production.
The construction begins next week at the Great Plains Industrial Park in Parsons, marking a historic moment for advanced nuclear technology and U.S. energy innovation.
The project is led by an advanced nuclear company developing a next-generation Gravity Nuclear Reactor, designed to operate safely one mile underground.
This prototype reactor is expected to become operational by mid-2026, introducing a powerful new model for carbon-free energy.
What Makes This Reactor a Global First?
This facility will be the first-ever nuclear reactor installed in a deep vertical borehole, rather than a traditional above-ground plant.
The design is compact, modular, and engineered to use the planet’s natural geology for shielding, cooling, and containment.
Key Technical Features
- Installed inside a 30-inch wide borehole
- Placed 1 mile (1.6 km) beneath the surface
- Reactor height approximately 9 meters
- Uses proven pressurized water reactor (PWR) technology
- Geology provides passive containment, eliminating the need for massive concrete structures
- Surface footprint significantly smaller than conventional nuclear sites
- Multiple underground reactors can be installed to scale up power production
This underground design aims to reduce construction costs, increase safety, improve deployment time, and create a new standard for modular nuclear energy.
Why Kansas Was Selected
Kansas offers a uniquely suitable location for this groundbreaking project. The Great Plains Industrial Park is an expansive 14,000-acre industrial zone with ideal geological conditions for borehole construction.
Additional factors include:
- Strong state-level support for advanced energy projects
- Existing large industrial land suitable for high-security infrastructure
- Ability to scale the site into a national clean-energy hub
- Interest from data centers and manufacturing companies seeking reliable, low-carbon energy
Kansas leaders believe the project will help stimulate growth, attract energy-intensive industries, and position the state as a pioneer in next-generation nuclear development.
Project Timeline
The project involves several phases, each preparing the site to host this historic reactor.
| Milestone | Details |
|---|---|
| Groundbreaking Ceremony | Next week at Great Plains Industrial Park, Parsons, Kansas |
| Borehole Drilling | Early 2026 |
| Reactor Module Installation | Mid-2026 |
| Expected Initial Criticality | July 2026 |
| Goal of Pilot Project | Demonstrate safe, modular, deep-borehole nuclear energy |
| Future Expansion | Multiple units totaling hundreds of megawatts for industrial users |
This pilot is part of a broader federal initiative to accelerate deployment of advanced nuclear reactors across the United States.
How the Mile-Deep Reactor Works
The concept is surprisingly simple yet technologically advanced:
- A narrow borehole is drilled one mile deep.
- The reactor module is lowered into the borehole using heavy-lift equipment.
- The surrounding rock acts as natural insulation and shielding.
- Heat from the reactor transfers upward through a geothermal-style system.
- Electricity is generated at the surface using a steam-power cycle.
Because the reactor is underground, the design dramatically reduces:
- Accident risk
- Vulnerability to natural disasters
- Physical security concerns
- Land-use impact
This model could enable cheaper, safer, more scalable nuclear energy, especially for regions seeking carbon-free baseload power.
Why This Matters for the Future of U.S. Energy
If successful, Kansas could become the launching point for one of the most transformative energy technologies of the century.
Major potential benefits include:
- Reliable, 24/7 zero-carbon electricity
- Modular units allowing flexible capacity growth
- Reduced cost compared to large traditional reactors
- Ability to power large tech clusters, industrial parks, and AI data centers
- A U.S.-led technological breakthrough in the global clean-energy race
This project could redefine how nuclear plants are built worldwide and help meet growing electricity demand while reducing emissions.
Kansas is on the brink of making history with the construction of the world’s first mile-deep nuclear reactor. Beginning next week, this groundbreaking project introduces a new era of compact, safe, and scalable nuclear power.
With its innovative underground design, rapid deployment capability, and strong potential for commercial growth, the mile-deep reactor could become a blueprint for the future of clean energy in the United States and beyond.