US Regulator Approves TVA's BWRX-300 Reactor at Clinch River
The NRC granted TVA a construction permit for a 300MW BWRX-300 small modular reactor after a 14-month review, but a separate license is still needed before fuel loading.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved Tennessee Valley Authority's construction permit for a BWRX-300 small modular reactor at the Clinch River site in Tennessee, according to techradar.com. The regulatory assessment took 14 months to complete.
The approved reactor has a capacity of 300MW and uses boiling-water technology with natural circulation for coolant movement. TVA is considering building up to four BWRX-300 units at the Tennessee site.
The construction permit does not allow TVA to load nuclear fuel or generate electricity from the reactor; a further license is required before either step.
GE Vernova Hitachi's BWRX-300 design is also being pursued elsewhere. Ontario Power Generation is developing its first BWRX-300 unit in Canada, while SGE is proposing up to 14 reactors across three UK sites in a programme that could cost approximately £35 billion. Blue Energy has applied for permission to develop BWRX-300 reactors in Texas to supply data centres.
The design is intended to address construction difficulties through simpler architecture and fewer components. At 300MW, each BWRX-300 would generate roughly one-quarter of the capacity of newer reactors at Georgia's Vogtle facility, and recent large nuclear developments in America have experienced substantial delays and costs exceeding initial estimates.
Quick answers
How much power does the approved BWRX-300 reactor produce?
The reactor approved for the Clinch River site has a capacity of 300MW.
Can TVA start generating electricity now?
No. TVA still needs another license before it can load nuclear fuel or generate electricity from the approved reactor.
How long did the NRC review take?
The regulatory assessment took 14 months to complete.