Oklo Will Deploy Aurora Microreactors by 2028

The company expects to launch its fission technology to support rising energy demands for data centers.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Nuclear

Isometric editorial illustration of a modular microreactor unit, reflecting the company's energy infrastructure plans. — Oklo expects to deploy its Aurora fission microreactors by 2028 to provide necessary power capacity for data center operators across the United States. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should data centers rely on experimental small-scale nuclear reactors for their power needs?

Oklo plans to deploy its Aurora microreactors by 2028 to help meet the growing energy needs of data center operators. The firm currently manages an order book totaling approximately 14 gigawatts.

Why it matters

Data center operators require significant energy capacity to support operations, prompting interest in advanced microreactor technology. Oklo is working under Department of Energy oversight to bring these units to market.

Each Aurora microreactor unit is designed for a generation capacity between 15 and 75 MWe. Additionally, the company has planned a 1.2 GW capacity campus in Ohio.

The players

Oklo

This company develops advanced fission power technology and microreactors intended for commercial and industrial use.

Department of Energy

This federal agency oversees the Reactor Pilot Program and provides regulatory guidance for nuclear energy development.

Kiewit

This organization is a large-scale construction and engineering firm managing the building process for Oklo sites.

Centrus Energy

This energy company provides high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel necessary for the operation of advanced nuclear reactors.

The details

Oklo is utilizing the Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program to manage development, with construction handled by Kiewit. The company recently established a $1 billion at-the-market equity program to support these infrastructure goals.

September 22, 2025: Groundbreaking occurred at the Idaho site.
June 11, 2026: The Department of Energy approved the Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis.
August 5, 2026: The Groves Isotope Test Reactor achieved first criticality.
September 2026: Oklo announced a $1 billion equity program.
2028: The projected commercial debut of Aurora microreactors.

Deeper Dive

The project follows the regulatory guidelines and oversight protocols established by the Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program.

These microreactors could eventually provide a reliable energy source for large-scale digital infrastructure. The deployment may influence future energy costs for major data center users.

The takeaway

The move toward microreactors signals a shift in how power-intensive industries source reliable energy. Successful deployment by 2028 could establish a new model for powering large-scale computing infrastructure.