TVA applies for construction permit for BWRX-300 small modular reactor

The U.S. nuclear regulator, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), has accepted for review an application for a construction permit for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor at the Clinch River site in Tennessee. The application was submitted by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), making it the first U.S. utility to seek to build this technology from GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy. The NRC expects to complete its review within 17 months.

Preparatory work could begin as early as next year

TVA President and CEO Don Moul called acceptance of the application “an exciting step toward launching the first SMR led by an American energy company”. He added that the project would not only strengthen the reliability and security of electricity supplies but could also serve as a model for other energy companies.

TVA expects preparatory work at the site could begin as early as next year, alongside the NRC’s review of the application. Construction itself could then begin in 2026.

International cooperation and support from the Department of Energy

TVA is helping to develop a standardized BWRX-300 design through technical cooperation with Ontario Power Generation (Canada), Synthos Green Energy (Poland) and GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy. It is also leading a consortium of energy companies and suppliers seeking an USD 800 million grant (approximately CZK 17 billion) from the U.S. Department of Energy to accelerate construction of the first SMR in the United States. A separate grant application for USD 8 million (about CZK 170 million) is intended to cover costs associated with the licensing process.

SMR benefits and site readiness

Small modular reactors (SMRs), thanks to their smaller size, modular construction and passive safety features, offer the potential for faster construction and more flexible integration into power grids. Their compact size also makes them easier to integrate into the landscape.

TVA previously obtained an early site permit for an SMR in the Clinch River area, confirming its suitability in terms of nuclear safety, environmental impacts and emergency preparedness. An Environmental Report has also been prepared and submitted for the project, serving as the basis for the formal environmental impact assessment (EIA) process conducted by the NRC.

About BWRX-300 technology

The BWRX-300 is a water-cooled boiling water reactor with an installed electrical capacity of 300 MWe. It uses natural coolant circulation and passive safety systems. Its design builds on the ESBWR technology developed by GE Hitachi. In Canada, construction of the first reactor of this type is already under way at the Darlington site, where Ontario Power Generation plans to build a total of four units using this SMR technology.