The US just approved its first small nuclear reactor built for the AI power crunch

Key Points:

• The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has received federal approval to build a 300-megawatt BWRX-300 small modular reactor at its Clinch River site, becoming the first US utility authorized to construct this GE Vernova Hitachi design.
• The Nuclear Regulatory Commission completed its review in 14 months, granting a construction permit, though TVA still requires a separate operating license before fuel loading or electricity generation.
• The BWRX-300 reactor uses simplified boiling-water technology with passive safety features and natural circulation, aiming to reduce construction time, costs, and complexity compared to traditional large reactors.
• TVA is considering building up to four BWRX-300 units, following similar plans by Ontario Power Generation in Canada and Blue Energy in Texas, reflecting a trend toward standardized small modular reactors to meet rising, round-the-clock power demand.
• The project’s success will test claims that smaller, factory-made reactors can avoid the delays and cost overruns seen in large nuclear projects like Georgia’s Vogtle plant, addressing the urgent need for reliable, low-carbon power sources amid growing AI data center energy demands.