The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has announced it is leading a bid for $800m in funding under the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Generation III+ Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Program.
The initiative includes a coalition of industry partners, utilities, and research organisations aiming to accelerate the development of advanced nuclear technology in the US.
Tennessee Valley Authority’s proposal brings together a network of collaborators. These include Bechtel, BWX Technologies, Duke Energy, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, Indiana Michigan Power, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, North American Forgemasters, the State of Tennessee, Sargent & Lundy, and Scot Forge.
The coalition also includes other utilities and advanced nuclear developers to support broader industry advancements.
The funding, allocated by Congress in 2024, is intended to enable the first Gen III+ SMR deployments. It also aims to strengthen the domestic nuclear supply chain and meet the increasing demand for clean and reliable energy solutions.
If granted, the funding would accelerate construction of the first SMR at Tennessee Valley Authority’s Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The US-government owned electric utility has set a target for commercial operation by 2033, with the funding potentially advancing this timeline by two years.
Tennessee Valley Authority president and CEO Jeff Lyash said: “Enabling and accelerating this technology will take innovation and partnership, as well as discipline and hard work. Nuclear is the most reliable and efficient energy the world has ever known, and TVA is uniquely positioned to help drive this forward.
“We are committed to working with partners, and this grant would expedite our work as we invest in America’s nuclear future.”
The Clinch River project is following a phased planning process. Each phase is subject to evaluation and approval by Tennessee Valley Authority’s board of directors, which has yet to vote on moving forward with the SMR deployment.
The availability of DOE funding is expected to support early project activities, should approval be granted.
Beyond the Clinch River site, Tennessee Valley Authority and its partners aim to use the project as a framework for establishing a domestic supply chain for advanced nuclear reactors. This initiative is expected to reduce risks, offset costs, and support broader adoption of SMRs in the US
Tennessee Valley Authority is also working with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) in Canada, which is advancing a similar project with the same BWRX-300 reactor technology.
The BWRX-300 is being developed to lower construction and operating costs compared to other nuclear power generation technologies. Its design utilises a combination of existing fuel, simplified plant systems, proven components, and a framework based on a reactor that has already received licensing.
Ontario Power Generation’s SMR project is on track for completion by 2029, providing an operational model for Tennessee Valley Authority to build on in its own deployments. Ontario Power Generation is planning up to four SMRs at the Clinch River site, with lessons learned from both projects set to inform future industry development.
