GoKawiilNRC grants TVA construction permit for BWRX-300 reactor at Clinch River
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a construction permit for the Tennessee Valley Authority to build a GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 small modular reactor at its Clinch River site near Oak Ridge, Tennessee, completing its review 14 months in, four months ahead of schedule. TVA becomes the first US utility cleared to build this reactor design, though it still needs a separate operating license before loading fuel or generating power. TVA is also considering building up to four such units at the site but hasn't set a start date or final cost estimate.
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The approval marks a milestone for small modular reactor technology in the US, which proponents say could be built faster and cheaper than traditional large reactors using factory-made components and simpler designs. This matters as electricity demand rises sharply due to AI data centers, but the economics remain unproven since large US nuclear projects have historically suffered major delays and cost overruns, suggesting SMRs still face a real test before becoming a reliable power source at scale.
- TVA is the first US utility authorized to build a GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 small modular reactor.
- The NRC completed its review four months ahead of schedule, but TVA still needs an operating license before generating power.
- TVA is weighing building up to four units at Clinch River, with no construction start date or cost estimate yet disclosed.
Source: techspot.com — Skye Jacobs, 2026-09-30
Published there as: “The US just approved its first small nuclear reactor built for the AI power crunch”
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